I didn't know I'd be writing this post today.
That's because I didn't know I'd be going to visit the memorials
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
That's because I didn't know I'd be going to visit the memorials
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
I don't spout politics on my blog,
and I usually keep things pretty light.
But some things need to be said.
But some things need to be said.
Some things need to be shown.
When I first heard about the shooting
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL,
I felt many things, but shock wasn't one of them.
Shock is reserved for the unexpected.
But unfortunately, mass shootings happen too frequently
to qualify as shocking.
I felt saddened, heartbroken, and angry.
I felt hopeless.
School shootings......mass shootings........
they've become a fact of life.
If the massacre of 20 elementary school children
didn't move the needle towards change,
would anything?
And then the Parkland students mobilized,
using their voices.........their grief.........their anger........
and for the first time, there is a flicker of hope that
SOMETHING WILL CHANGE.
SOMETHING WILL CHANGE.
Right now, I am in Florida, just 15 miles from Parkland.
I noticed on Facebook that some of my friends who live in this area
were going to the school to visit the memorials to the students.
I told Mr. Goo Shoes about it,
and we both knew we had to go.
I noticed on Facebook that some of my friends who live in this area
were going to the school to visit the memorials to the students.
I told Mr. Goo Shoes about it,
and we both knew we had to go.
Yesterday, we went to pay our respects to the victims,
their families and friends.
We went to show our support for the students
who are relentless in their demand for change.
Standing outside the school, it drove home the fact
that this could be Any High School, in Anywhere, USA.
In fact, I know several people
who know someone who goes or went to MSD HS.
This one hit so very close to home.
Some students from the school were there yesterday.
We could tell from the t-shirts they were wearing.
They looked exactly like your kids' friends, or mine,
They looked exactly like your kids' friends, or mine,
only these kids will never be the same.
There were 17 markers for each of the victims,
with their names, ages, photos, and written tributes
from friends and family;
piled high with flowers, cards, balloons, stuffed animals and more.
Posters lined the fences around the school......
Posters about death, rather than posters about school spirit.
Posters about death, rather than posters about school spirit.
There are no words to describe what it felt like to be there.
This shouldn't be.
This is all wrong.
Something has to change.
Maybe this time, it will.
This shouldn't be.
This is all wrong.
Something has to change.
Maybe this time, it will.
#NeverAgain
#MSDstrong
I respect you so much for speaking up. It is hard to sit up here and be silent, but the USA - as much as I love it - is not my country, so that is what I do. It's like seeing your best friend headed straight for a horrific train wreck. I just want to call out 'look out!' Your country is too GOOD for what is happening. Bless those students who are holding those in positions of responsibility to account. They know exactly what is at stake.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a touching post. So much sadness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this and it is so so sad. This school is less than four miles from my son's home that they just moved into before Thanksgiving. They love the community.
ReplyDeleteOh how heartbreaking. Such moving images..
ReplyDeleteThank you for speaking up and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch tragic images Amy. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to be there, much less what the students of parkland are going through. The only thing more tragic than this, will be if no changes happen. I can't wrap my brain around that.
ReplyDeleteAmy, thank you so much for this. I felt exactly the same as you, no shock but certainly all the other horrible emotions that this had happened again.
ReplyDeleteAnd then came Enough, Enough, Enough. Whatever it takes, whatever multiple actions it takes, Whatever.
I watched a film clip the other night on ABC news (because the Governor of our state was challenging the President) during some gathering but what moved me far more than the politicians challenging each other was the father of one of the victims speaking who said, the debate needs to be about school safety -- leave the gun debate for another time . . .we need to make schools safe for our kids. What should trouble every American is that the words keep being said, but nothing has changed since Columbine. . .heart-breaking events and disheartening responses to them. . .
ReplyDeleteSo sad that our nation has come to this. The most frustrating part is learning that there were warnings and clues about the shooter beforehand that were ignored. I am sure it is sobering to walk through all the tributes. I am still affected by my trip to the 911 Museum in NYC.
ReplyDeleteEvery time one of these horrific events occur, I feel intense sadness, anger and get a sick feeling in my stomach. The entire country grieves together every time there is a mass shooting, whether in a school, shopping mall, movie theater, church, etc. It could be anyone's child or any one of us going through the normal course of our day. The MSD students, so articulate, mature, smart and determined sum it up very well ... grieving, prayers and thoughts are not going to do it; it is time for action. Those kids have started a movement. It's about time the adults do the responsible thing and speak through the power of the vote.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your speaking out. This just can not continue. We all have or have had
ReplyDeletechildren in schools and this hits home so hard.
Marching here in Chicago on March 24 in support of our kids.
I deeply admire those students who are trying to change things. It's like a mouse trying to take down an elephant... But as the French saying says "it takes all the little creeks to make a river". When I heard about the shooting, I didn't cry (not that I wasn't sad, but as you worte, I wasn't shocked), but when I hear those young people speak, it brings tears to my eyes, tears of hope. I'm a teacher and I always have hope in youth.
ReplyDelete