Although I write a weekly blog post, I typically write them about a month in advance. I am writing this post a few days after the mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. My husband and his sister both graduated from Highland Park High School, as did my niece and two nephews. Many of our closest friends live in Highland Park, returning there after college to raise their own families in this northern suburb of Chicago. I’m a south-sider myself and have often teased my husband that the whole world is three degrees of separation from Highland Park. He’s never been able to prove me wrong.
Highland Parkers have rallied together to support each other after the horrendous events on July 4th. They have brought in mental health professionals, comfort dogs, food for police and other first responders. They have comforted each other during religious gatherings and moments of silence for the victims. When you think of community and the support that community can bring, picture the people of Highland Park. Mister Rogers has been quoted as saying, “Watch for the helpers” after tragic events. The helpers have been the citizens of Highland Park and the surrounding suburbs.
BUT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS!
I’m sick of watching for the helpers. I’m sick of hashtags of town names followed by the word strong. I’m sick of reading about the victims and their families. I’m SICK OF AMERICA’S OBSESSION with GUNS. I’m so angry. We have children fleeing for their lives, orphaned children, physical and emotional wounds that will never fully heal. What are we doing to American children? How can we even pretend that we value peace and freedom in a country overrun with gun violence?
WE DO NOT NEED TO LIVE LIKE THIS!
Check out any other industrialized country in the world and you will see that they are not like us. Their children are not being gunned down in schools, churches, parades, concerts, etc. Please do not bother with any silly gun tropes. I’ve heard them all. I’ve tried to listen and empathize and I’m done with that. It’s time to get angry. It’s time to vote for politicians who are not in the back pocket of the NRA. It’s time to vote for politicians who are willing to BAN assault-style rifles. It’s time to tell our children that they can be free from gun violence, just like other children around the world.
Americans want their freedom back. They want freedom from the fear of, and the reality of, mass gun violence. Join me in supporting Momsdemandaction.org #gunviolence #massshooting #guncontrol Click To TweetJoin me in supporting Momsdemandaction.org. Join me in asking every single politician if they will ban assault-style rifles. If they say no, refuse to vote for them regardless of political party. Americans want their freedom back. They want freedom from the fear of, and the reality of, mass gun violence. Get angry. Get active. Give time and money to any organization that is working to take our country back from this violence.
Go visit Highland Park. Go see this beautiful community that had enjoyed safety and comfort for so many years. Go tell the Highland Parkers that you are doing everything in your power to make sure that they, and no other community, will ever again have to face someone holding an assault-style rifle aimed at them or their children.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC