I live in a suburb of Atlanta and if you've been listening to the weather at all, you know that we're covered in a blanket of snow and ice. Housebound, we have plenty of time to think and to feel. My husband and I check in with the TV periodically to see what's going on in the rest of the world and what the latest is on our weather, and each time we do so we're reminded of the horrifying massacre which occurred in Tucson on Saturday. We discuss our reactions to the event, and then we discuss our reactions to the reactions of TV hosts, and then we discuss our reactions to their guests' reactions. It gets tiresome. It also gets challenging, for me, as a Psychology Today blogger on overcoming child abuse. What is more abusive than murdering a child? And what happens in the life of a child that contributes to turning him into a mentally ill mass murderer? These are only two of many questions. There are multiple aspects of this horrifying event and its aftermath.
I went to bed last night thinking about Christina Green, her traumatically grieved family and friends, and all the nine-year-old children in our country (including one of my grandchildren) who may now fear that this could happen to them. I thought about the children who live in terror daily because of their parents' threats and/or assaults on them. I thought about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Sheriff Dupnik, Jared Loughner, and all of the others involved, which now, because of the news, includes millions around the country, including my husband and myself.
Today I awakened before dawn to the hoot of an owl that lives in our backyard. Covering my ears with pillows, trying to go back to sleep, I remembered a hand-out I have in a scrapbook of readings and cartoons I keep in my office waiting room: What You Can Do To Protest Violence In Society. I had been given this handout at a church in New York City, and it was referenced as being from Christopher News Notes, July, 1995. I share it with you this morning in honor of Christina Green, her family, and friends. I share it with you as a prayer for Rep. Giffords, and all who were directly or indirectly affected by Saturday's shooting. I share it with you as a personal place to start in responding to this tragedy:
- 1. Deal constructively with your own anger
- 2. Courtesy is contagious. Show respect to family, neighbors, and strangers.
- 3. Model nonviolent behavior in language, action, and attitude.
- 4. Learn conflict resolution skills and teach them to others.
- 5. Help: the victims of crime, overburdened parents, young people seeking guidance.
- 6. Volunteer at a shelter for battered women or abused children, or for community action groups.
- 7. Be a responsible citizen. Report crime. Let legislators know how you feel about gun control and other laws.
- 8. Join a grassroots campaign against excessive media violence.
- 9. Promote peace through organizations that emphasize non-violence.
- 10. Pray. Turn spiritual values into action.
Please, be intentional. Please, put these into action.
Amen.
