Is Anyplace Safe?

The latest public shootings have me questioning:

Is anywhere in America safe?

The short answer is, no.

The harsh reality is that all of our sanctuaries have become targets for homegrown (and I am going to say it- usually white male) terrorist destruction. Churches, schools, festivals, movie theaters, concerts, even Walmart, though I am not sure who’s sanctuary that is.

And here we sit, stunned and saddened but largely inactive about the whole thing. We are creating noise as a nation but not much else, that I can see. And be sure, I am including myself in this mass of lost people.

Where is our outrage? Why are we not burning the fucking house down? Why are we allowing this devastation to happen over and over again?

The short answer is, I don’t know. Though, I lean toward fear, greed, and complacency as being huge factors.

What I do know is that now I have to add the grocery store and open festivals to my list of places to be extra vigilant. My plan is always to be aware, be observant and have an exit strategy everywhere I go. Unfortunately, this is a plan that I have to impart upon my child to keep her safe.

Let that marinate for a minute…….

Our children are regularly drilled on active shooter school lockdown situations. We are debating arming teachers with guns. That’s the best we can come up with?!

Rather than address the root of what is driving these hateful sick twisted individuals we are throwing haphazard fear-feeding “solutions” at the epidemic. Reaction rather than prevention.

For as current events show me it’s not a matter of if but when. When and where will there be another senseless attack on innocent lives?

This fact saddens and overwhelms me.

Who are we becoming? Where are we going? When is enough truly enough? When do we decide as a people to unite for change?

We need to wake the fuck up and try to salvage and rebuild or maybe start over, I don’t even know. I know I cannot trust the people in positions of power or authority. I know I cannot trust my government officials to make the necessary changes or do what is right for their constituents.

What I do know is that this current state of our society is not one I want to be a part of. So I must continue my efforts, however small they may appear, to be a part of the right side of history. I will continue to vocalize, shed light on, donate towards, vote and protest for change. To do nothing is to be complicit in the destruction of human kind.

Give me some ideas. How do you be the change you wish to see in the world?

Spread love!

xxxxxxxxx

Melissa