Is gun violence discrimination against Americans?

Another day, another mass shooting. Another thought, another prayer.

As we investigate the who, where, how, when, and why of the latest event, the ‘what’ has become unnewsworthy. Mass shootings are an American way of life, and as the attention cycle predictably resets, we are left with platitudes and echoes about gun policy, mental health, and so on.

There were more than 70 mass shootings in just the first six weeks of this year, raising the question: how can this keep happening?

Everyone believed the Sandy Hook shooting would finally move the needle on how we approach gun violence — but that was over ten years ago. Gun violence has become pervasive and systematic, and once a system is built, we generally do not like to point out its flaws.

How does the justification theory work against us?

According to system justification theory, we all want to live in a fair and just society.

Even if you experience personal discrimination, it is in your best interest to pretend it is not happening.

For instance, it feels better to think that a customer is rude to you because they is having a bad day—not because you are [insert gender, race, etc., here]. If the rudeness is random (e.g., flat tire), we can justify their behavior.

If it is targeted, we must admit the system is flawed.

This holds even when we are not the target of discrimination. If you think a homeless person is homeless because they made bad choices or got ‘dealt a bad hand’, it is easier to look away. If you think the system — to which you belong — is in some way responsible, it is much harder. Essentially, we are motivated to believe the system we built is fair because it is emotionally taxing to see it otherwise.

The American way.

Gun violence is baked into our American system. As such, it is emotionally convenient to shrug it off as a fact of life, as suggested by the Onion article on regular rotation since 2014.

Applying system justification theory, we should be able to overcome this injustice by allowing ourselves to experience the negative emotions associated with it. But aren’t we already doing this?

Each shooting is followed by videos of grieving family members, stories of the victims’ community involvement, candlelight vigils, pictures of friend groups forever minus-one, and poignant eulogies.

I doubt anyone feels no guilt, sadness, anger, frustration, helplessness, or fear in the wake of these events. But if these events evoke negative emotions, why does society-at-large still justify them?

Mass shooters do not discriminate. Schools, night clubs, grocery stores, shopping malls, no place—or people—are off limits. Perhaps it is this randomness that allows it to be rationalized.

Is gun violence ‘discrimination’ against Americans?

Like the rude customer, it is less emotionally burdensome to chalk it up to being in the wrong place at the wrong time than to feel particularly vulnerable or discriminated against. But I argue that, in this case, the randomness is discrimination.

Discrimination is the treatment of a group of people based on membership to that group—rather than individual merit. As Americans, we are more likely to die from gun homicides than peer nation citizens.

Indeed, no other rich western country comes close.

Therefore, we are unfairly and unjustly subject to gun violence simply by living in this country, by belonging to the group of people called Americans.

I acknowledge the leap in terminology. I also acknowledge that there is discrimination within gun violence. But by framing mass shootings as discriminatory against an entire nation, perhaps we can reach a critical mass to decide we can no longer justify this system.

Colin Gabler is an associate professor of Marketing and Fulbright Scholar at Auburn University and a former O’bleness associate professor of marketing at Ohio University. His research explores the role of marketing in developing public-policy initiatives and how business can help address social justice issues.

Two months after welcoming my son into the world, I often find myself picturing the life-altering milestones that lie before him.

I slip into daydreams about his first steps, graduations, and other happy moments that will define his childhood and my journey as a new mom. Like so many other Black parents though, I know that I must prepare him for the unique dangers that lie ahead, particularly those posed by gun violence.

Today, Black children in America are 13 times more likely than white kids to be hospitalized from firearmrelated injuries. So, as a school principal responsible for the safety of 105 children – including 104 young Black scholars – gun safety is naturally at the top of my list of concerns.

This priority has been reinforced by recent gun-related incidents in several local schools that have convinced both Columbus-area parents, educators, and lawmakers alike to take another look at how best to keep our children safe.

After the passage of House Bill 99, which significantly reduced requirements for teachers carrying guns in schools, I encouraged lawmakers to steer away from knee-jerk reactions and instead lay the groundwork for responsible, de-escalatory solutions to gun violence.

Since then, I have come to realize that the fight doesn’t stop at the schoolhouse or even the statehouse — the latest battle in the fight against gun violence is under our own roofs.

It is painful enough that we lose around 1,300 kids to gun violence every year.

But, few know that nearly 12% of these fatalities are a result of an accidental shooting. Further, these horrific events often take place at the home of a friend or loved one — with 40% of these accidents involving children aged 11 to 14 happening at a peer’s home and a relative or guardian’s weapon.

Simply put, we must do something to address the fact that too many of our children are needlessly losing their lives in momentary lapses of judgment.

One of the most daunting obstacles in our way,

The real heroes working

The train derailment tragedy in East Palestine was a real life test for our political and government system.

On one hand, Gov. Mike Dewine and Sen. Sherrod Brown acted responsibly to help, support and assure the East Palestine residents by mobilizing resources, providing facts and avoiding using the crisis to achieve political gains.

On the other hand, some politicians aren’t letting the tragedy go to political waste and can’t resist spreading unproven information and false accusations.

While politicians were bickering, Ohio EPA and Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission staff worked around the clock to sample the water, air and ground around the derailment site, conduct the necessary research on the toxicity of the spilled substances and report the information and their recommendations to the appropriate parties.

Their work provided essential information to residents and decision makers to protect citizens and drinking water sources downstream from the derailment.

They are the real heroes of this tragedy.

George A. Elmaraghy, Columbus

Remind them who they represent

Ohio voters have judiciously modified Ohio’s Constitution for 112 years through ballot initiatives.

This precedent of direct democracy was formed in response to corrupt and powerful politicians and legislators.

Like other recent attacks on precedents, the power of Ohio voters to have their voices heard through citizen-led ballot initiatives is now under attack.

House Joint Resolution 1 (Feb. 18 “Tax cuts, school choice top GOP’S agenda”) is a blatant attempt by current office-holders to ensure their power, once again, goes unchecked.

The resolution seeks to make it harder for Ohio citizens to modify the State Constitution by undermining the sacred principle of “one person, one vote.”

It also seeks to make it much harder to get an issue on the ballot — making it more likely that only deeppocketed special interests will be able to perform such a feat.

In the Statehouse museum, there is an organizational chart of the Ohio government. At the top sits “The Citizens of Ohio.” Next, below, sit the three branches of government. And, at the bottom, a breakout of each branch and elected office. Current office holders — those two and three levels below the Citizens of Ohio — who support House Joint Resolution 1 must be reminded of who they are representing.

Contact your state legislators and the Ohio Secretary of State and tell them to reject the undemocratic goals of House Joint Resolution 1.

Michael Ahern, Blacklick

Bet on the deaf ear

Re “Legal betting?,” Feb 27: Two months in with Ohio’s legalized sports betting.

What could possibly go wrong?

Yea, the experts in the field warned us. Our state’s legislators are skilled at turning a deaf ear.

John Seryak, Reynoldsburg