Enough…
An essay…
It is difficult to ignore the events of the last few days. Just as it is difficult to ignore the rhetoric, the spins, and the amount of reports flooding all of the outlets. Each post, meme, and article compound more and more the event itself and the multilayered aspects that surround or contribute to it. I feel obligated to say something while not being sure what could I really say to ease or facilitate a solution. All I can think of is this: enough.
The ease with which a person can acquire a gun in this soil should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The ease with which anyone with the flick of a finger can take a human life no matter the color or the ethnicity should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The ease with which we argue against gun reform policy should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The way I feel I have to explain to my students why I do not want to take their phones away even though they are pain should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The way in which we have come to quietly expect another school shooting should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The way those who open carry a weapon makes them feel powerful and superior should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The way in which such weapons make anyone feel they are in charge of life or death should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The ease in which a child dies because he or she thought it was a toy should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough. The way in which we believe a weapon equals freedom should be concerning. That alone deserves an enough.
We have not had enough. We are not satiated or yet satisfied. Nor do we want to look at the numbers or statistics. We silently believe that the things listed above are simply casualties or the natural consequences of living free. There is no argument or reason to pierce these ideas or beliefs as they are entrenched in the fabric of this culture. A culture that in the same sentence proclaims itself to be pro life but engages in practices that effectively endanger such lives. It is akin to wearing different eyeglasses.
My friend, I imagine at this point you are asserting that I am against the 2nd amendment of the constitution. Nonsense. I grew up with guns. My Dad owned weapons. My uncles owned weapons. My stepfather owned a Magnum, actually—which my mother used to scare an intruder. In plain daylight she ran out waving it in the air and yelling. (Sorry, Mami). My cousins own guns. Every night my Dad would come home and take off his weapon and carefully put it in the night table next to him. My brother and I knew where it was. We did not grow up idolizing guns or having a taboo over them. It was understood that their purpose was not to brag, idolize, play, ignore. Their purpose was for protection and only if their use did not threaten our lives. I should also tell you that my cousin died at an armed robbery.
Let’s go to the summer of 1988. My Dad had been the victim of several armed robberies. But, I distinctly remember this one because he called me right after. He was worried I would hear it from anyone else. While getting his second morning coffee at the regular bakery some gentlemen came in to rob the customers and the cash register. My Dad had his weapon. He always had his weapon. These gentlemen had weapons too. I do not remember which type. All I remember was my Dad telling me about it and stating that the best thing to do was to stay calm and not look at them in the eyes. He said he had to because he had reasons to live. He said he did not want these gentlemen to see him as threat if they saw his weapon. So, he remained calm and quiet. They left. No one died. My Dad called. And I was relieved to hear my Dad’s voice again. He said he regretted that they took the Father’s Day gift I had given him. That year it was a gold onyx ring for his pinky finger. I thought, well, I can always get another one.
I do believe in the freedoms we are privileged to have in this soil. What I do not believe in is the abuse of said freedoms. Especially, the abuse we have tolerated and continue to tolerate of the second amendment. If we can’t see that, if we can’t see its abuse and its political exploitation, we are in a very, very sad state.
I say enough.
Love,
Alma