Aren’t Mass Shootings Making You Anxious?
How many must die before something is done? May Mania #10 What is the most recent thing that has caused you anxiety?
What is the most recent thing that has caused me anxiety?
I live in a country basically numb to killing and gun violence, and that brings me great anxiety.
“As of May 7th, 2023, there have been 202 mass shootings, defined by the archive as incidents involving at least four people killed or injured by firearms”— Sana Q in Twistity (MSN.com)
The horrific truth is, in the first 127 days of 2023, there have been 202 mass shootings, or 1.6 per day.
There are approximately 120 guns for every 100 Americans, enough guns for every man, woman and child to have at least one gun. Does that make you feel safer?
I’ve stopped watching the news. I turn on the TV and hear about people having trouble getting tickets for Taylor Swift concerts. I hear a sitting president being laughed at and called senile. I hear about an ex-president being arrested over falsification of NY business records. I hear other stories about everything under the sun that won’t matter much tomorrow.
I guess reporting on all these stories is important and they all have their audience. But why is gun violence not the lead and follow up story on every news broadcast in America? I really don’t understand. Have we become that numb? Can we move on that quickly from hundreds of our fellow Americans being wounded and killed by gun violence?
Aren’t we concerned our children are at risk at school and teachers are being asked to arm themselves?
Yes, 202 mass shootings in 127 days. How can this not be the top priority in Washington, DC, and on every media outlet? How can we not be talking about this 24/7? Shouldn’t this make us all anxious?
When are we collectively going to demand some answers? And how long are we going to continue to vote for “representatives” who refuse to represent the interests of those who elected them? When will “we the people,” get more than “thoughts and prayers,” from our elected leaders?
I never thought the violence would reach this point in America. From my first day of school, 63 years ago, I have pledged allegiance to the flag of this country. But when our elected leaders refuse to address the biggest issue currently facing our country, one our lives and the lives of our children depend on, can I still put my hand over my heart and meaningfully recite that pledge? Where has “liberty and justice for all” gone?
It’s not just the violence, it’s the not caring.
Data cited from article below:
U.S. Mass Shootings in 2023: The Number Keeps Increasing (msn.com)
May Mania courtesy of Keeley Schroder:
Autistic Widower (“AJ”), Pamela Oglesby, The Sturg, Bernie Pullen, Rhonda Carter, Harry Hogg, Paula Shablo, Jerry Dwyer, NancyO, Bruce Coulter, Adrienne Beaumont, Pluto Wolnosci, Marlana, MSW, Keeley Schroder, Dennett, Normal Earthling, Brett Jenae Tomlin, Katie Michaelson, Pat Romito LaPointe, Michael Rhodes, Karen Schwartz, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Ray Day, Ruby Noir, Susie Winfield, Rachella Angel Page, Lisa Guard, Lu Skerdoo