Mourning for Uvalde, Texas - A reflection
I wake up this morning with the heaviest of hearts and tears flowing, as the details of yesterday's massacre in Texas are being reported. 19 children were not tucked in last night. Hundreds of children and families of Robb Elementary paralyzed by the thought that it could have been their child. Millions of people repeating - what can we do?
It takes every part of me to not be angry at the 18 year old who committed such a horrific, unimaginable crime. A child himself, protected by recent changes to Texas laws that allowed him to buy two assault rifles within days of his 18th birthday.
I am not mad at the gunman. I am mad at Texas state legislators. I place my blame on Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Even after several mass shootings prior to the Robb Elementary massacre, the Texas legislature loosened gun laws in 2021 to allow people to buy guns without a permit. They also loosened the age for Texans to purchase a long gun from 21 years of age to 18.
Why? It is quite obvious that these spineless legislators are in the pockets of big pro-gun lobbying firms like the NRA. It is obvious that winning an election is more important than the lives of the people they represent.
On the same day as this tragedy, there were primary elections in Texas. And Pennsylvania. And Georgia. And Alabama. And in each of these states, more horrible politicians like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Hershel Junior Walker, and Brian Kemp glided by in their Republican primary and have been chosen to go against sensible Democrats. And while I have not gone and verified the number of registered voters vs. the number of people that voted yesterday, but I suspect that turnout was low and therefore the fate of the many rest in the hands of the privileged.
Friends, I hate to be so cynical, but Democrats are in trouble. The hope I hold is chipping away. The only thing that is holding me up right now is this:
I will not lay down without a fight. I will not give in to the Republican playbook. And I will not be a pawn in their games to reverse the rights of the many. I simply cannot.
And you can't either.
If you're sad, angry, confused, hopeless, or scared - I need you to channel your energy NOW. And not just for a moment. But for the rest of your waking life.
Today, I am asking you to help hold each other up. Be kind. Be supportive. Be brave. Your actions moving forward will impact the future.
Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we rise. The lives of the most vulnerable are worthy of that.