It’s been days since our nation was once again devastated by the news of yet another senseless tragic school shooting on the campus of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. 17 innocent people who had promising futures now forever lost. I’m still heartbroken. I’m still in shock. But most of all I am angry. Angry, just like many other Americans across our country.
I’m angry …..
that another senseless mass shooting has taken place on yet another U.S. school campus
that 17 innocent victims have lost their lives
because it shouldn’t have happened
I’m angry …..
that my neighboring community of Parkland has had to endure the pain and heartache of losing friends and loved ones
that the world will now remember Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS as being home to one of America’s most deadly school shootings
that my dearest friends’ children were witness to this horrific act
that their lives have been forever scarred
I’m angry …..
that Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, and other school shootings didn’t create change that could have prevented this senseless tragedy from happening
that Orlando, San Bernadino, Fort Hood, Charleston, Aurora, and Sutherland Springs are cities that have been added to the ever-growing list of mass shooting locations
that the massacre in Las Vegas did not lead lawmakers into action to ban bump stocks or other military-style weapons
that I can no longer feel safe in a restaurant, at the movies, at a concert, at a club, at my church, at my place of work, or any other public venue
that I must constantly look for the nearest exit and avoid being in the middle of a large crowd of people
that my children have to worry about being safe on their school campuses
that my son is not safe in his own college dorm and that he has to live with the nightmare of one roommate pulling a gun on the other
I’m angry …..
that an 18-year-old could purchase a gun so easily
that many red flags were missed that could have prevented the loss of life
that there is a lack of mental services, facilities, and funds to help those with mental illness
that all our schools can do is expel a troubled student, instead of being able to move them to alternative school equipped to handle the emotional counseling they need
that our world has become so desensitized to violence from video games, movies, music, television, and social media; where young minds soak this up and violence becomes “normal” and acceptable to them
I’m angry …..
that our lawmakers only talk and debate gun reform without taking action
that unless we as a nation wake up and start a real national movement, Parkland will fade into history just like Columbine or Sandy Hook
with the internet trolls and with the posting of misinformation that creates division instead of unity
that this tragedy will further divide this country — it is no longer a political issue, this has become a life and death issue that affects all Americans
I’m angry …..
because Marjorie Stoneman Douglas will not be the last school that the nation mourns
because there will be more candlelight vigils somewhere else
that we have allowed our country to become a place where things like the mass killing of 17 beautiful people can happen on any day, in any American town, and at any time
But, I am hopeful …..
that this tragedy will finally be the wakeup call our country needs
that the anger we feel will turn into action that will be the catalyst for change
that the lives lost will not be lost in vain
that our lawmakers will finally pass laws to protect the people they represent
that Parkland will become known not for its loss, but for becoming “ground zero” for a movement that will change the world
Yes, it’s OK to be angry, but we must also be hopeful and work toward a change.
In memory of the 17 victims of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy
#MSDstrong #ParklandStrong #NeverAgain
This article originally appeared in LifeTraveledInStillettos.