But, honestly, what more can we do?
It feels inevitable. Eventually, we will probably have another one circling around the news and this one will fade into the background, part of the collage that's become a fixture in our American life. If the statistics remain steady, we will probably have another one next week, after all there's been 45 so far this year. That's over a shooting a week. And we still have thirteen weeks left.
Sadly, one of my first thoughts was "I'm thankful it wasn't another elementary school." Then immediately after "Maybe this will be it. Maybe someone's someone was killed and this will finally make a difference." Then "Nope. Probably not." (sigh)
I'm not saying those thoughts are "right" or the best. My initial response should be anger and grief, but how much more can I honestly hold the anger and the grief?
Shootings have become an unfortunate norm of life in these United States. And no matter how much we say "don't give attention to the shooter, don't honor the "zero" but rather the 'heroes'", it doesn't make a difference. The gunman's name is released along with stories of their family or friends and the usual shock and disbelief.
Because that's what the public expects. Or at least what the media believes we want.
And usually there are too many victims to remember all their names. It's easier to remember the one. The guilty one. The murderer.
How strange that last word is seldom used.
Shooter. Gunman. Lone Wolf.
Those are more common in news stories and court cases. Why? Is a person who enters a building carrying weapons and ammunitions with all apparent intentions to kill unarmed individuals not a murderer? We are not at war. We are not in a continual state of revolution. There is no obvious need to carry a gun into an elementary school or a university or a church. The only reasons one would do so would be to kill others or out of fear that someone might enter to kill them.
So if the individuals take it upon themselves to determine who lives and who dies in the middle of a hallway filled with finger paints and cut out snowflakes, in the middle of a sanctuary as songs of praise are sung, in the middle of a playground where children are laughing, in the middle of a small college nestled into a quiet forest, why can't we call them murderers? They aren't innocent. This is not an "until proven guilty" situation. They loaded guns, entered buildings, and killed whoever they felt needed to die.
Is it because Murderer is too raw? Because of a sense of justice?
Children have been murdered in their safe havens of learning and play.
Adults have been murdered in their sanctuaries of faith.
When is enough enough? Who's child, spouse, parent has to die in order for something - anything - to change?
For now, all I can do is pray for the repose of those innocently taken too early from this world.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
