Once again, we see on our TV, stories of someone who travels out of their community to another community intent on killing people who he considers “the other.” The hate in people’s hearts is shocking. One of the tragic things about all these events is mostly these people use guns they bought legally.
And in this most recent case in Buffalo, New York we find there were warning signs. There were reports. The alleged shooter was even hospitalized for a time.
Not only do we suffer from having weak gun laws, we have a failing mental health system.
So far this year, we’ve had 119 mass shootings (4 or more people shot) in our country since the beginning of this year. Other countries don’t have statistics like this. What’s wrong with us? What’s going on in people’s heads and hearts? As a country, we need to take a long hard look at this issue.
I remember after the attack at the El Paso Walmart, how afraid I was to go to my local Walmart. I found myself looking for places I could hide if some misguided person decided to take out a bunch of us. The people of Buffalo who shopped at the Topps Grocery Store have to return to that shop. It’s the only option in their part of town. How hard is that going to be? How long will the trauma be with them?
In Dallas recently, there were three shootings of Koreans in their businesses. The shooter had mental health issues and believed Koreans were out to get him.
There has always been racial hatred. But what we see now more and more is people acting on their racial hatred. I can’t change what’s in someone’s heart, but it’s never, never okay to act on that hatred by taking other people’s lives.
More of us need to stand up and say:
“No.”
“No, you can’t act that way.”
“No, it’s not okay to speak that way about others. You can think whatever you want, but you can’t act on that.”
“Don’t talk like that in my presence.”
Somehow we have to get back to where people treat each other civilly, regardless of what’s in their hearts.
I don’t suggest this will be easy. It will take courage to speak up. It’s so much easier to turn away. It’s so much easier to figure well, this isn’t my fight. I don’t talk like that. I don’t think the way that person apparently does.
That’s all true, but if there is anything I’ve learned from my years on this earth is we all must stand together, or we will fall together.
I love this country with all its flaws. I love it enough to face those flaws and try to do something about them. One of the ways to correct the flaws is voting. Study what candidates say and what they do. If they continually put down a group of people, they may not be someone you should support, regardless of the party.
Together, we can make a difference.
****
On another subject and so not appropriate since it’s such fluff compared to what is above, but the timing is what it is. I was on NN Light’s Book Heaven Blog on Tuesday, May 17. Please stop by and comment. That will enter you for a chance to win a $75 Gift Card. ACT OF BETRAYAL, Book 3, The Second Chances Series is on sale for 99 Cents through Saturday, May 21. https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/act-of-betrayal-sbbf
Link for book which is also in the blog post. https://books2read.com/b/3k0nYR
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Thank you for your heartfelt blog, Marsha. What happened in Buffalo, NY is horrendous. I think we probably all know why people are acting out. Everyone knows how easy it is to get a gun.
Yes, VOTE!! VOTE these reckless, heartless, and crazy politicians out. Tighten the gun laws. Saying that, probably everyone who wanted a gun already has one. Sales were sky-high during the last administration and as he was leaving.
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Hey, Susan. Yes, voting is more important than ever. Anyone who supported the insurrection shouldn’t be re-elected or elected. We must work hard to save our democracy. Our democracy that is for everyone regardless of the color of your skin, your ethnicity, your religion or lack thereof, where you live or who you love. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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