RESPECT RESPECT | PAPER POETRY
Empathy Without Respect
Unveiling the hollow facade
The U.S. has reported 402 mass shootings since the start of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks shootings in which at least four people are killed or injured, not including the shooter.
“At least 81 people have been killed in 65 mass shootings in July alone.” ABC News
The U.S. still has not passed a ban on assault weapons or automatic weapons.
Empathy without respect is a hollow facade But it’s what we’ve come to expect that, and the Word of God
Thoughts and prayers and prayers and thoughts so glibly spoken Buckets full of shoulds and oughts Nothing more than empty tokens
But when it comes down to actions a chance to make a change They slip into their opposing factions Instead of solutions, it's insults they exchange
No longer focused on the innocents whose lives were taken away Survivors pain now met with indifference and they are left alone to pray
Empathy without respect is a hollow facade But it’s what we’ve come to expect that, and the Word of God
In the wake of every mass shooting, politicians are quick to offer their thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. From politicians beholden to the gun lobbyists, this common gesture of sympathy becomes meaningless.
It does nothing to address the root causes of gun violence.
While offering thoughts and prayers can be a way of showing compassion and solidarity, it is important to remember that empathy is not enough. If we truly want to help those who have been affected by the tragedy of gun violence, we need to take action to address the problem.
When politicians offer their thoughts and prayers while refusing to take action on gun control, they are essentially offering empathy without respect. They are saying that they care about the victims, but they are not willing to do anything to prevent future tragedies.
This is not empathy. This is hypocrisy.
I am a messy creator! The evidence is in the photo of my handwritten “raw” crafting of this poem. I could’ve rewritten before snapping the photo, but the cross-outs and scribbles reflect the anger I feel about the inaction of our Congress.
I wrote this poem in response to the poetry prompt for July in the publication PAPER POETRY. There are a few days left to submit a poem with the theme of respect. I’d like to invite some of my favorite poets to submit a poem with this theme: So Elite, Willow Reed, Writer, Benighted, and Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar. My friend and mentor Carolyn Hastings has provided the guidelines below.
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