Thoughts on school shooting tragedy, political solutions
Editor’s Note: We have received a large number of submissions following the tragic events in Buffalo, N.Y. and Uvalde, Texas. Ideas & Voices is committed to giving space to readers’ perspectives. If you are interested in providing a 150200-word letter to the editor or a 500-600-word contributed column on this topic, please email your submission to edletter@coxohio.com.
From our daughter Sara, who teaches in a Catholic school in Columbus. Anyone who doesn’t think of teachers as selfless heroes needs to read this:
I’ve been unsettled all day trying to stay composed at school. I was thankful to take my class to mass today to pray for the grieving families in Texas and try to find solace in church. Instead, I found myself counting and recounting my students, reminding myself who was absent, who was not sitting with me.
I took note of all the exits and escape routes. I knew which students would lead the group if I had to stay behind. I went through the phone numbers I had in my contacts of parents. I made note of where my son, niece and nephew were sitting and how to get to them. I debated walking to the nearby firehouse or seeing how many children I could fit at my house since I live near school. (All of them I decided.)
I reminded myself to tell them I love them. Sadly, I have run this scenario in my mind many, many times throughout my years of teaching. My heart is breaking. I just taught a lesson last week on Amanda Gorman’s poetry. She’s eloquent in her expression of universal hope and optimism while recognizing where we came from and where we’re headed as a nation and as humans. We finished that lesson with a message of taking care of each other and doing what’s right even when it’s hard.
I thought we were closer to the descent than the summit last week when we read “The Hill We Climb” … until now.
WILLIAM WALKER, CENTERVILLE
I am bewildered about my government’s inaction. Columbine, Sandy Hook and Marjory Stoneman Douglas were flashing red lights and piercing sirens that action was needed. Yet as the days passed and the headlines faded, nothing was done. What can be done? What about consistently enforcing background checks? Although there are procedures in place, many times they are not followed. What about a 3-5-day waiting period before a buyer gets access to the gun? What about reviewing and strengthening “red flag” laws and increasing availability and access to mental health services? And what about requiring training in responsible gun ownership? We require a license to drive, hunt or fish, but with the implementation of the law recently signed by Gov. Mike Dewine, licenses and training for concealed carry guns will not be required. I beg our elected officials, do not let this latest tragedy pass without action. I will be watching your actions and will support candidates who favor “common sense” gun legislation. To those elected officials who promised to act when they heard, “Do something!” shouted in the streets of Dayton but have done nothing – I remember and hope others do, too.
NANCY EVANS, CENTERVILLE