I Hope It Gets LOUD

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis I had no plans to write about the unspeakable tragedy that occurred on Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in this space. The thing is, I don't really know what to say. And, nothing that I do say will bring back the victims, will comfort the survivors, or effect any political change. I am simply another voice that rises up with the wave of others when an incident like this occurs and then quiets down again with time. This is perhaps what scares me worst of all and persuaded me to pen my thoughts this time.

Truth is...I am so angry. I'm sad, of course, but deep down my body is full of rage and fear and more anger about being fearful. I am no expert on gun control or mental health, but the fact is I am so sick of the complete dishonesty behind lines like "guns don't kill people, people kill people." It's pretty hard to argue with the news that when a man in China entered a Primary School last Friday with a KNIFE and stabbed 22 children, NO ONE DIED. The truth is guns do kill people. Period.

The Second Amendment has long outlived its purpose. I realize I am in the minority among my fellow citizens and that's okay. But what is not okay is that ordinary Americans are made to live in fear, to question the safety of schools, to feel the inadequacy of their ability to protect their children. What is not okay is that once again we all are left to wonder how many more children will be killed before any meaningful change takes place.

My hope is that now, rather than next time, the voices of all who can’t bear to watch another Friday begin being heard. I hope we get loud and stay louder.