Healing gun violence
"Violence is an interconnected web that has totally entangled our nation." Fr. Bob Layne.
Mass shootings in the USA in 2021: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mass-shootings-u-s-2021-n1264354
In just one month in 2021, the US has suffered through tragedies in Atlanta, Boulder, Virginia Beach, Indianapolis and other gun murderers.
From whence comes such horrible violence? Why do we keep killing each other? The NRA and the ongoing gun lobby provides the means. The gun culture, so vehemently defended by the NRA, ensures that any would-be murderer has readily available ample means to do the killing.
Handguns and semi-automatic weapons are nothing but anti-personnel weapons. They are guns designed to kill people. There is nothing “sporting” about them.
Yet, still, the (IMO domestic terrorist group) NRA protects the right and the readiness for any gunslinger to obtain one, including deadly automatic weapons. If violence is the message of the media, the means to do that violence is ensured by well-funded groups, like the National Rifle Association.
 |
| Enough is enough! #EndGunViolence |
Unfortunately, the previous Trumpzi national leadership modeled the message. A former guy president sought to solve the evil of terrorism by employing preemptive violence. He chose war.
Many continue to violently die. Obviously, seeking vengeance by returning violence for violence has not worked. And even today, our political leaders are more intent upon destroying the “other” political party than doing the work of the nation. In an important national debate, the message is “destroy the other guy”.
So the message is heard, the means are there, and the violence, physical or verbal, is used. Violence is an interconnected web that has totally entangled our nation.
How can we break free?
Perhaps we might measure a male no longer by his machismo power to conquer and control, but by his strength of character, his respect for all, and his willingness to risk loving another. Moreover, perhaps we might begin measuring a woman no longer by her measurements and allure, but by her willingness to grow her family, her strength in bringing up those around her and her care for all hurting humanity.
Such a shift in emphasis would certainly be a change in humanity's infrastructure. Or more simply, we might begin to live the injunction given so long ago; we might just begin to love one another. I think it is still worth a try!
The seedbed of all this violence is a constant message that permeates American life: “violence solves problems”. From the Saturday cartoons to cheering fans of Ultimate Fighting in cages, through movies and television shows, we celebrate, sensationalize, and reward acts of violence as the means to solve all our troubles.
The message declares if one’s aims are thwarted, then punish or destroy that which stands in the way.
The problem will be solved. And that is exactly what so many of our vulnerable, impressionable, and immature fellow humans do. They solve their problems by removing the perceived hindrance.
So the message is heard, the means are there, and the violence, physical or verbal, is used. Violence is an interconnected web that has totally entangled our nation.
How can we break free?
Perhaps we might measure a male no longer by his machismo power to conquer and control, but by his strength of character, his respect for all, and his willingness to risk loving another. Moreover, perhaps we might begin measuring a woman no longer by her measurements and allure, but by her willingness to grow her family, her strength in bringing up those around her and her care for all hurting humanity.
Such a shift in emphasis would certainly be a change in humanity's infrastructure. Or more simply, we might begin to live the injunction given so long ago; we might just begin to love one another. I think it is still worth a try!
The seedbed of all this violence is a constant message that permeates American life: “violence solves problems”. From the Saturday cartoons to cheering fans of Ultimate Fighting in cages, through movies and television shows, we celebrate, sensationalize, and reward acts of violence as the means to solve all our troubles.
The message declares if one’s aims are thwarted, then punish or destroy that which stands in the way.
The problem will be solved. And that is exactly what so many of our vulnerable, impressionable, and immature fellow humans do. They solve their problems by removing the perceived hindrance.
Such a shift in emphasis would certainly be a change in humanity's infrastructure. Or, more simply, we might begin to live the injunction given so long ago; we might just begin to love one another. I think it is still worth a try!
Labels: Atlanta, Bob Layne, Indianapolis, Kansas, National Rifle Association, NRA, The Hutchinson News
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 4:45 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home