This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Since 2020, I feel there have been certain events that “made the world stop spinning.” Those include the COVID-19 pandemic, the sudden death of Kobe Bryant and multiple mass shootings, including at schools, churches, nightclubs and even stores.
Area graduations were observed this weekend, and most, if not all, included a moment of reflection or silence for the victims of the Uvalde school shooting.
The nation has held similar memorials for the shooting victims in Buffalo, New York.
We keep hearing, “You have our prayers and condolences.”
The time has come for a change. We need to do more than just offer moments of silence or our prayers and condolences to grieving families. While these are genuine gestures from caring people, it does not address nor fix the problem.
The issue boils down to a roadblock in the U.S. Senate. Crucial votes are needed to approve legislation regarding access to guns. The problem is that not enough people understand the legislation does not take away guns or negate the Second Amendment, only tightens the process to get one.
Although it’s the Senate we’re talking about, this is far more than political rhetoric. This is an issue about protecting our communities. Protecting our children. Protecting ourselves.
I would think responsible gun owners would not have a problem with enacting a few more checks and balances to ensure everyone’s safety.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke crashed Gov. Greg Abbott’s press conference in Uvalde to say, “This is on you, until you choose to do something different.”
At the same press conference, Abbott never mentioned gun control. Instead, he said mental health is the cause of shootings like the tragedy at Robb Elementary School that claimed 21 lives, including 19 children. He’s not wrong, but he’s not completely right, either.
He has gone on record to say that gun-control laws are not the answer.
Well, Mr. Abbott, neither is what we’re doing now. The definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
Again, I’m not trying to be political, but if the current legislation isn’t working, it’s time to try a different approach.
When shootings happen, not just at schools, but any mass shooting, it doesn’t just touch that community, it touches us all. When NBA coaches, talk-show hosts, radio personalities, comedians and professional athletes are all saying the same thing, it shows this tragedy resonates and hurts people from all walks of life.
As reporters, we don’t just write about these types of events. We worry about the families, the communities, our children and even our own families; we hurt and we feel the pain, too. We have to write without putting all of our emotion into the article to make sure we tell the story, but we’re not blind to the pain and suffering.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now, but before I do, I encourage you to hug the people you love and tell them how you feel. I’m not taking sides with the Democrats nor the Republicans, but I believe both parties have a responsibility to do what’s right. Not for blue or red, but for the people.
“I’m fed up. I’ve had enough. We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit here and just read about it and say let’s have a moment of silence.”
— Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors head coach
