Adeline Olmer
- May 25, 2022
- 2 min read

There are things we can do—or not

Updated: Jun 7, 2022

According to CBS news, “Robb Elementary School is the 27th shooting to happen at a school so far this year.” Take a minute and let that sink in.

How can we continue to let these killings/slaughters happen?

When are we going to stop waiting for other people to solve the problem for us? The only way anything is going to change is if we make the changes ourselves.

There are things we can do—or not. We have voices that we can choose to use—or not. We have a vote that we can choose to use—or not. We have the ability to protest that we can choose to use—or not. We have the ability to support organizations that will work for us—or not.

The realization that by not taking action I/we have a part to play in these mass shootings is excruciatingly painful. It is so much easier to just not think about it and instead blame the politicians that are not taking action.

NPR’s Ayana Archie said, “I think part of the complacency from the politicians is the fact that they anticipate that people are gonna get tired about this after a week or two, they'll forget and move on to the next topic.”

Every mass shooting horrifies us, brings us to tears, makes us determined that something needs to happen. The problem is that it is so agonizing it is far easier to forget—until the next time.

Are we really willing to wait to think about taking action until more unsuspecting people, maybe our children, our parents, husbands, wives, best friends, or acquaintances are killed by a gun, knife, or other weapon?

Only you can answer that question.

P.S. I am someone who’s lost a family member and close family friends to gun violence and sadly every day that group of us gets bigger and bigger. If you want to know more click here

Note: I find that writing is the best way I have to comprehend and come to terms, with what is happening in the world around me. It is the way I comprehend what my responsibility is as a resident of this country.