Response to Uvalde
I have spent all of my adult life protecting the development of children and improving their environments. Particularly the most vulnerable, working through organizations like the #YMCA to ensure that their social-emotional, cognitive, and physical journeys are safe and supportive.
BUT, what does it mean when youth development professionals (teachers, counselors, coaches, childcare workers, mentors, etc.) are asked to serve in a society that refuses to control the use and ownership of weapons? To work in communities where violence is imminent and shootings common? To care for kids in a culture with strict recall expectations of harmful consumer products but effectively NO gun control? What is wrong with US? When will WE stop the massacre in our streets, grocery stores, and schools?
I recently became a gun owner. My father-in-law was an avid hunter and gun owner, and when he lost his battle to cancer, many of his loved ones inherited his weapons and ammunition. As a new gun owner, I was not required to register the weapon, prove that I have the mental capacity to own it safely, or to take a class to ensure that I use and store it appropriately. WHY? Because we believe that to do so would diminish my freedom? So, the countries with these restrictions and expectations have less freedom (Germany, England, Canada, France, Switzerland)? Do they have less freedom or do we? It just does not makes sense.
I am deeply saddened by the murders in Uvalde, Texas. Tragedies like this happen in no other nation. The gunning down of shoppers and children is uniquely OURS. #WECANDOSOMETHING. I will call my senators and representatives to ask them to join me and the millions of youth development professionals in protecting the “least of these” in our communities. To work with other national leaders to pass laws that decrease the likelihood of another Robb Elementary, Sandyhook, Marjory Stoneman, Santa Fe, Red Lake, West Nickle, Marysville Pilchuck— and so many more. If trends hold, we will have 400 mass shootings in America this year.
To do nothing cannot be our response. It must not be.
- Consider a donation to Victims First, a nonprofit organization providing relief to those directly impacted by mass casualties.
- Learn more about how to talk to children about tragedies from healthychildren.org.
- Find support and education for mental wellbeing from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- Spiritual guidance services offered by YMCA Chaplain, Jesiah Brock.