For the second time in less than 24 hours there’s been another incident of mass murder. El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio were rocked by the actions of young white men in probable hate crimes. No, the authorities haven’t yet said that, but that is my suspicion. The El Paso authorities tentatively believe the suspect had posted anti-immigrant opinions prior to the shootings. This follows at least 3 mass shootings reported July 28th (2 unidentified assailants and a 30ish year old white male). NBC News story contains links to the 3 from last week as well.
So, what is wrong with us? Why are we killing each other? How do we prevent this? How can we help these obviously troubled men? Why is there so much hate? Why is mental health not treated as equally important as physical health, anyway?
I see and hear the drumbeat of White Nationalism, or Christian Nationalism, or whatever other label you want to put on it. It rings of the American isolationist movement that kept us from joining WWII. Whatever is going on over there doesn’t affect us; we’re above that! “The weak response of the European democracies to fascist aggression and American isolationism allowed the Axis powers to gain the upper hand initially.” Though Roosevelt tried to aid the targets of the Axis countries, the American people wanted to remain isolated. It wasn’t until the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor at the end of 1941 that Americans were finally ready to do their part to protect democracy. Freedom is not free.
We are again facing the assertion that “we” are somehow better than “they”. Keep the immigrants out. Keep the oppressed “in their place”. We alone deserve the stature and privilege granted us by the discriminatory laws and practices implemented here in the U.S.. The ‘we’ in the previous is white Anglo-Saxon protestant males, some females (since females were at least granted the right to vote in 1920 — 50 years after the black man was granted the same right). It took another 45 years until the civil rights legislation of 1965 began to address the inequalities faced by black and brown people in general. The Equal Rights Amendment still has not been passed – it needs one or two more state votes. Women are still not legally “equal” to men, in salary, bodily autonomy, or much else.
In reality, we are all the same — we are species homo sapiens. We all want the same things for our children; we want productive, happy, peaceful, joyful lives. Regardless of skin color, religious affiliation (or not), political outlook, ethnicity, whatever — we all want the same thing. We all love our country and want it to be better for everyone. When our leaders, religious or political, mislead or outright lie to us, how many of us are informed enough to know it’s a lie (or at least an incomplete or twisted version of truth)? Do we hold our leaders accountable? Do we take the time to ascertain the best candidate to vote into office? Do we even question our religious leaders or simply accept their words “on faith”? Does Truth matter? Or is “God said it” (says the preacher) good enough for you? I had a recent experience where a “pastor” set forth a “fun fact” that wasn’t anywhere near factual. When I pointed that out, with citations, I was told that some things are just taken on faith!! Facts do not require “faith” of any sort — the “faith” argument almost always means you have no facts. So the “fun fact” was intended to be misleading? I’m still confused on the motivation there.
How long will we continue to abrogate our responsibility to determine truth; to make this world a better place; to truly implement equality for all? Why are we waiting?
This piece a public offering from NWF.
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