Like
most people, I have used language that establishes where “I stand” on issues of
social importance. While this has served me well in my ability to make friends
and associates who hold the same worldview, little has been accomplished in engaging
with those of differing views on critical issues.
Recent
gun violence in our country has convinced me that a more integrative approach
is going to be necessary if we intend to provide for the safety of our
children, first responders, etc.
As I have engaged this issue it has become clear that those speaking to
solutions are highly influenced by past experience, personal belief and
political alignment; myself included.
Looking at my own communication I wonder
how my personal beliefs are standing in the way of helpful actions. Does my belief in the path of
social justice or personal history with gun violence create barriers to real
solutions? Further, is it time to examine these strongly held beliefs and set
them aside opening for consideration all possible solutions?
What
would happen if those with whom I disagree did the same, suspended the need to
advocate an already established belief and engaged in an open dialogue seeking
real answers? Some times beliefs held as sacred are the very stumbling blocks
to progress, communication and compassion.
Today
I call on the community to set an example in the debate of this issue. Let us
take two steps back, examine what beliefs we hold that may be preventing us
from considering real practical solutions. Let us set the table of discourse with the wares of self-reflection,
moderation, awareness, and critical thinking.
The
goal here is not the advancement of agendas but the safety of our community; to
use this set of circumstances to bring real solutions to a problem that has plagued
or nation for too long.
For
many years young people have been dying from gun violence. Recent sad events
have brought this to the forefront of public discourse. Let us not misspend
this opportunity.
We can set an example!
3 comments:
Personally, I think we need to view these mass shootings as an extended "suicide by cop". I'm in favor of an assault weapons ban as well as a large ammo magazine ban but we also need to realize that, by doing that, the reason people do these shootings will still exist-we've only forced them to change methods
What no one seems to notice is the elephant in the middle of the room, and one of the reasons the "return of the Goddess" and an examination of our entire mythos is so important. These crimes are overwhelmingly committed by young men. That is worth examining. For an excellent article:
http://erikachristakis.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/we-need-to-talk-about-gender-the-overwhelming-maleness-of-mass-homicide
When I pull the thread on most of our problems, I find myself face to face with fear. Fear is not like most other emotions. It is primal, like the drive to procreate or the need to eat. So while gun laws, and armed guards and mental health services may be of some help, they are only stopgap measures. We need to find out what we are afraid of, how we got that way and then solve that problem.
Lauren has pointed out the fact that males are the ones who perpetrate these horrific acts. I find that fact interesting and oddly encouraging. I point out that anger has long been the only emotion that most men find acceptable. Or should I say accessible? I wonder if it is a cultural difference or genetic? If it is the later, what then?
I also found the following article by Michael Moore interesting.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/gun-violence-united-states_b_2358115.html
Post a Comment
Please use your name in posting comments. Postings by "Anonymous" will be deleted.