Conversation
Another day, another mass shooting. Followed by shouts from those individuals who sit at the extremes of the argument.
Those of us in the middle, heartbroken, outraged, and just plain confounded, can find no space to speak between the noise of extreme edges.
In thinking about the mass shootings, my experience within the criminal legal system adds a layer of consideration to the subtleties to be weighed. On the one hand, one group wants all guns banned. An outright ban on guns it seems would be as effective as Abolition was on alcohol or the “War on Drugs” has been. The other group wants everyone armed, except felons. Unlimited access to guns without restrictions — except for felons. My experience within the system indicates that the sole restriction no one speaks of doesn’t actually work. Felons are picked up with weapons all the time. It’s not a stray problem. Legal access to weapons on demand without restriction, it seems, provides a small population which carries anger a quick and ready outlet for anger, though.
Instead of sloganizing the extreme ends of the discussion, we need to have a conversation. I read this article in The Atlantic. A conversation with a public health doctor. Discussing what communities can do. Dr. Ranney discusses how communities can shift decisions around guns.
I would add that schools, in and of themselves, should evaluate their culture. Observing the treatment of students who don’t fit into the culture of the “best” schools in the area in which I work leaves me wondering whether our measure of the “best” schools (results oriented) has the best interests of the student body at heart. Students who don’t conform seem to be targeted for elimination from schools. Zero tolerance of non-conformity removes students when perhaps that’s not absolutely necessary. How could schools be more attentive to the students who end up disgruntled and angry? Could we find some empathy and emotional intelligence for the students who aren’t poster children for the school?
Is there a way that we could shift our society and cultural understanding to appreciate that not much in this life is certain? To raise children to be resilient instead expectant of outcomes? If COVID taught us anything, did we not learn that life is full of uncertainty? That the uncertainty is simply a part of life? Can we move to the space of understanding and accepting the uncertainty rather than knotting ourselves up in frustration and taking it out on others?
No one person can solve the problem of mass shootings. Neither will an extreme law one way or the other resolve the conflict. We must all come together in community to discuss the problems. The issue is not simply guns, it is not simply mental health, it is not solely any one thing. Creating a discussion about the issues and talking about it with each other without name calling or trench digging — that is how the problem can begin to be resolved. No lines in the sand. No slogan shouting. Open minds and open discussion.
Conversation.
