Blog #184: This Isn't Normal

I was talking to my parents on the phone today, and they asked me what my plans were, seeing as it's my last weekend here in Chicago.

Without even giving it a lot of thought, I just said "Well I thought about going downtown, but Lollapalooza is this weekend and I don't want to be anywhere near a large crowd, considering there have been at least three mass shootings so far this week."

I'm not being overdramatic. I'm not making this a bigger issue than it needs to be.

The prevalence of gun violence in the United States has instilled a deep-rooted fear in me, and rightfully so.

I had to take an active shooter training course at work in case something happens. I identify two separate exits as soon as I walk into any store/restaurant/theater/classroom. "Could I survive a jump out of this window?" is a question I've asked myself dozens of times.

Better to think about it now than later.

Truth be told, I don't even know what to say about it anymore. I wanted to write an eloquent post about this touchy issue. I wanted it to be impactful and moving and an accurate expression of the frustration and sadness I feel. Yet, I just don't have the words. I feel bogged down by the issue, tormented by the frequency with which this nation faces absolute tragedy.

I'm also very angry. The perpetrators of these tragedies seem to almost always fit the same bill; young, white, far-right men radicalized by the internet and the rhetoric of the current administration. With anti-immigrant and white-supremacist manifestos found in connection to so many of the shooters, that description isn't an opinion, it's a fact. The policies of this administration are dangerous, but President Trump's rhetoric has manifested itself in the form of these tragedies as well. Domestic white-nationalist terrorism is not a "liberal talking point," it's a major security threat facing the United States.

I'm just... tired of this. My decision-making process shouldn't be centered around the likelihood of me being shot. I shouldn't have to worry about my thirteen-year old brother going to public school every day. This isn't normal.

At this point, we're past the notion that "it couldn't happen here" or "that wouldn't happen to me." It very well could, and if nothing is done, I fear that it will.

What to do about gun violence other than cry and tweet about it?

1. Vote- I won't tolerate people telling me their vote isn't worth casting. Elections are often closer than you think, and your vote is a means of telling those in power what you want to be done. **ALSO, this doesn't just mean every four years for the presidential election. Often the biggest impact can come from voting for your state representatives. Find out if your representative has benefitted from the NRA at this link (https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=d000000082) and vote for candidates who aren't tied to the NRA.

2. Contact your reps- Your chance to vote only comes occasionally, but you can reach your representatives at any time to let them know you don't want them to accept donations from the NRA, that you support universal background checks, that you want them to support funding for research about gun violence, etc. This link will help you send an email to senate Majority Leader McConnell and your US senators, and it takes literally 45 seconds.

https://act.everytown.org/sign/smarter-gun-laws/?rd=1&refcode=emne_SenateCTA-rapidresponse-20190804&source=emne_SenateCTA-rapidresponse-20190804&t=14&utm_campaign=SenateCTA-rapidresponse-20190804&utm_medium=e&utm_source=emne_SenateCTA-rapidresponse-20190804&referring_akid=246338.6799962.Qx9WsV

If you want something more personal, this link will help you find the contact information of your federal senators/reps and you state senators/reps as well. Give them a call, or send them an email about what you want done. https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

3. Donate- If you can spare a few bucks, donate to groups who work to end gun violence. Consider Everytown for Gun Safety https://everytown.org/?_ga=2.106113027.1821614864.1564951226-1769972958.1564951226 ,

Moms Demand Action https://momsdemandaction.org , or

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence https://www.csgv.org .

You can also join the mailing lists for these organizations to stay up to date on what they're doing, how to help, etc.

4. Attend a protest- I love a good protest. Grab your friends, make signs, and chant about what you want done.

5. Volunteer- If you can spare a few hours a week, volunteer for a political candidate's campaign who supports responsible gun legislation. Make calls, canvass your neighborhood, or put up signs. Again, don't forget about local and state candidates, as well as federal candidates.