My Heart is Heavy Today
I thought my weekend was horrible because I spent Friday in ER with head pain that had gotten out of control. But the pain that lingers is nothing compared to the pain of the families who lost loved ones in the two mass shootings on Saturday. Nor does it begin to touch the pain of those who were injured.
Mass shooting in El Paso, Texas
When will it ever end? When will we ever learn? I keep asking those questions over and over on my blog, and I’m not alone.
And then we see posts like this on Facebook. Shared with permission:
On Dave’s birthday in 2012, the nation mourned the children and adults killed at Sandy Hook Elementary.
On my birthday in 2017, the nation mourned the 58 who died at a concert in Las Vegas.
Today, on my son’s birthday, the nation mourns the 20 killed in El Paso and the 9 killed in Dayton.
Marking birthdays with mass shootings is a uniquely American possibility.
Does the hateful rhetoric from White Nationalists hold part of the blame for recent tragedies?
Beto O’Rourke spoke out Sunday Morning answering that question, saying unquestionably that it does. And the hate speech starts at the top in Washington D.C.
“We also have to acknowledge that that the open racism and intolerance and hatred that we are seeing throughout this country Being echoed by the President of the United States who encourages this kind of hatred,” he said.
Does the proliferation of guns, especially assault-type weapons hold part of the blame?
Yes it does, and we can thank Mitch McConnell, the Majority Leader of the Senate who has refused to bring gun control bills that the House has voted on to the Senate floor.
And we must lay part of the blame on the gun-manufacturer whose advertising says that men must have assault weapons to be a real man.
Jennifer Rubin had this to say in an opinion piece at the Washington Post
For decades now, Republicans have insisted mass murders with semiautomatic weapons are not reflective of a gun problem. I can no longer comprehend how such a ludicrous assertion is remotely acceptable. But in one sense they are right: It’s not merely Republicans’ indulgence of the National Rifle Association that puts Americans’ lives in jeopardy; it is the support and enabling of a president that inspires white nationalist terrorists — and even denies white nationalism is a problem.
That’s all for me for today, folks. I do hope we can go forward from here and find real solutions for the problems that all play a part in these horrible events. In the meantime, be safe – I really mean it. And be happy. I mean that, too.
I am SO FED UP with finger pointing and blame…please read the following which I posted on FB earlier today and take it to heart…
I am sharing this from a friend of mine who posted earlier today and it states beautifully what I feel but could never put in such perfect terms. I have so many friends of every race, religion, political belief, etc. and I trust everyone of them with my life and I would do anything for them….LET THE WORLD STOP THE HATE and learn more about each other!
Peggy Jones Stewart
12 hrs
I have spent more time on Facebook the past few days than usual. I have read the comments pointing blame at people because of their race, political beliefs, or simply stupidity. I am a student of history and know that mass executions, genocide, extermination, religious persecution , race wars have been a part of our history since the beginning of time.
I have been lucky enough to travel to other places in the US and other countries and have made a point to get to know the people in those areas.
I have never met a person who hated me because of my race, religion, gender, sexual preference. I have stressed to them that I felt the same.
Mass murders are the result of hate, lack of knowledge, and doctrines that are being taught to people.
We can’t blame a race, ethnic group, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or religious belief for the atrocities happening in the world today.
We must teach compassion, understanding, acceptance and a feeling of worldwide compassion for the human race or we are no better than animals.
We need to work together and stop blaming groups of people for the hate. Spewing blame and hate gets us no where
Very well said, Carla. And I do agree on some points. Horrible atrocities have occurred throughout history, and they have stemmed from hate, racism and bigotry. It has always been one group of people thinking they are better than any other, especially those that are different. And while there are so many people who don’t hate or discriminate, we do need to call out those that do, as well as those that perpetuate an atmosphere that breeds bigotry.
You know, Maryann, that I do a daily “On this day” post where I choose important or little known facts to everyone’s attention. Not a day goes by that there isn’t some massive extermination of some group of people, mostly Jews but others too. This goes back to the start of time. Not 30 people, not even 100, but thousands at one time. It’s disheartening to read, and I don’t post those, but they’re there for all to see. Human beings have always hated and have found ways to kill others in mass numbers. We like to think that we are entering a new phase, but we’re not. Social media makes it easier than ever before to spread hatred and dissension. This doesn’t lessen what is happening. It makes it worse because the powers that be could do something about it, and they’re not.
I like your “on this day” posts on FB Polly, and you make some good points here. I think what I have always challenged people to consider is moving to a more enlightened era when people will not be killing each other for reasons connected with racism and bigotry. But then I’m a dyed-in-the-wool idealist. I always hope for the best and believe we might reach a point when the best of humanity will rise to the top.