How many more people have to die in order for someone to do something in regards to mass shootings in America?
I thought for sure when Sandy Hook happened and children who were learning how to write their names were slaughtered that something would be done. Something would happen. These were children, young enough to be pure and innocent and old enough to begin learning how to add and subtract. When I was their age, I called 911 because I left my favorite Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt at school over Thanksgiving break. We learned what an emergency was, but when I was their age, I shouldn't have experienced a real emergency.
I thought for sure when people walked into a movie theatre to see a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" and 12 people died that things would change. Do you know how many midnight screenings of movies I have seen? Do you know how many movies I have seen in general?
I thought for sure after people celebrating life and just having a good time were trapped and gunned down at Pulse Night Club in Orlando, Florida, that people would begin to talk. 49 people died that night, one number shy of 50, like the 50 stars on our flag that represent this country. I occasionally go bar-hopping with friends, and when I am out, the thought of guns doesn't enter my mind. What enters my mind is protecting my drink and staying with my friends.
I thought for sure when the deadliest mass shooting our nation has ever seen happened at a music festival in Las Vegas, people would begin to listen. 50 people had died. We had reached our nation's number. 50, we have 50 states. And yet we still fight over thoughts and prayers and what more can be done. This summer I saw Queen and Adam Lambert live in Seattle, and once more, I was under the assumption of being safe, untouched as I was being sung "Bohemian Rhapsody," headbanging until my neck hurt and my ears were ringing.
I thought for sure when the Parkland shooting on February 14th of this year happened and 17 people didn't go home that night that something would be done. And more is being done today, but you know what isn't being done?
I thought for sure that something would change by now. But nothing has happened, and every day I grow more and more afraid that if I go somewhere, something could happen. I always have a crumpled escape plan and a list of people I would call if something were to happen wedged in the darkest corners of my brain, neighboring the anxiety that pops up to say hello every day. The people I would call would be my family, my boyfriend, and my closest friends. But I shouldn't be preparing for an emergency or a disaster every time I walk out that door. Something should be done, and enough is enough.
I know for sure things are going to happen.
Here is what you can do:
Talk to your senators and join us in a walkout in a march for our lives.
Or...
You can keep sending your "thoughts and prayers" over Facebook and blaming the lack of God in our schools or blaming mental illness.
It is your choice, but I am damn tired of watching all of this happen through a screen.
My relationship with mass shootings has grown with each shooting that takes place. It is time to take a stand against gun violence and the government that is in denial of doing any work to protect us.
