The Status Quo in US Schools Is Unacceptable. What Can We Do?
Disclaimer: This article will discuss gun violence which some readers may find disturbing. Stunning Jade does not affiliate with any political candidate or party. This post is to provide resources to be informed and involved citizens.
This post may ruffle some feathers. However, we need to have some real talk. As mentioned on my site, Stunning Jade is not a place for false positivity. This is not a positive post. I wanted to discuss gun violence in the United States.
However, being a website to empower educators and parents/guardians, I feel I cannot dance around this issue: it is not okay. Gun violence in America is the status quo. That needs to change. We deserve to have safe communities and schools. Parents/guardians should not feel worried about daily activities. Educators should not have to go through the worse case scenarios in their minds regularly as they are in class. Our children deserve better.
Let’s make a change.
What will that change look like? I do not want to introduce an argument that will go nowhere because of political opinions. Americans, though, can see that politicians are disconnected and want to wash their hands of the conflict. They get paid the big bucks and should not sit on this issue.
Why? Well, let’s also face the hard facts:
I was in second grade when Columbine occurred. I was not a young educator when I stepped aside, and many educators who heard about these atrocities as young children now have to keep their students safe.
The majority of Americans are directly impacted by gun violence. In addition the psychological impact affects over 75% of Americans. Unfortunately, the numbers increase with each gun violence incident in the United States. I am part of that majority. Chances are, so are you. I am so sorry if you are. Your loved ones and members of your community were important. If they were injured, I hope their recovery went well.
Gun violence in America does not have one clear answer. Each community is different and approaches to help our children and communities heal. It will take a different approach based on the needs of people.
What can we do?
I want to give you a couple of resources to reach out to your representatives at the different levels of government. We can pressure them to act. We can review their voting records, and if they do not want communities and schools to be safer, you can determine their future at the ballot box. There are petitions, and there are protests. Showcase your voice. You can also have an impact in your neighborhood and home by sharing resources to friends and loved ones too.
Resources for you:
Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Who Represents Me? Elected Officials Lookup - 270toWin
If you are directly affected by gun violence, I hope you have the space and support network to heal. Our children and communities deserve better.
Let’s make a change to the status quo.
Works Cited:
“Find Your Members”: Congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved March 12, 2023, at https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
“Gun Violence in America”. Everytown Research and Policy. May 19, 2020 updated February 13, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023, at https://everytownresearch.org/report/gun-violence-in-america/#impact-on-americans
Ranney, Megan. “6 Proven Ways to Reduce Gun Violence”. Time Magazine. June 27, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023, at: https://time.com/6191609/6-ways-to-reduce-gun-violence/
“Stress in America 2022: Concerned for the future, beset by inflation”. American Psychological Association. Point of contact: Bethune, Sophie. October 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023, at https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2022/concerned-future-inflation
“Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business: A Toolkit for Safe Firearm Storage in Your Community”. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and US Department of Veteran Affairs. February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2023, at: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/Toolkit_Safe_Firearm_Storage_CLEARED_508_2-24-20.pdf
“Who Represents Me? An Elected Officials Lookup”. 270 to Win. Retrieved March 12, 2023, at Who Represents Me? Elected Officials Lookup - 270toWin
