When big, bad, horrible events happen, I have to make sense of those events to move on. I have to make sense because those events deeply wound me, make me afraid and call me to work to end such events in our world.
The Michigan murders stabbed me like a knife. I ache for the families who have lost their beautiful children, I ache for the friends, teachers, neighbors and community members who have lost beautiful young people, and I ache for those whose loved ones lie in hospital beds now greatly harmed by murderous bullets.
Why did this happen?
How can we stop such carnage?
We know that these killers are angry, lost, broken individuals. Their stories are heart breaking including errant family members, lack of good support, mental illness episodes, isolation, access to weapons and/or anger.
In every situation, people can look back and see signs of trouble, and in most of these situations, there were missing supports--the kinds of supports that could have stopped the deadly carnage.
As a people, we cannot stop all bad events, but we can certainly work against such evil in many, many ways including the following.
- See something, say something: Sandy Hook families and loved ones have been spreading this message because they know that there are often signs before a person kills others. It is better to speak up even if you are not sure because your words may stop someone from killing or greatly harming another. Contact the authorities, put your concerns in writing, speak up--this will help.
- Work for sensible gun laws, positive social programs, adequate school staffing, parent education/supports, anti-violence policies/efforts: The United States, in many ways, is a violent society because we have not taken a responsible approach to eliminating violence in multiple ways. Too many parents don't know how to parent or are stressed out--they need help. Too many students are isolated, lonely and without positive mentors--we need to add staffing to schools and health facilities to better support children. Too many gun policies and laws are lax leaving those unfit to own or operate guns in possession of these deadly weapons--we have to policy gun use like we do car use to save lives. Too many politicians today incite violence through images, words and law making--it seems that these politicians do this mainly in exchange for money and benefits from wealthy elites who profit from violence and errant gun use.
- Do as much as you can to help others: The more good we do, the more good there will be.