MY FELLOW AMERICANS ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

A guest commentary by Cathy  Simmons…

 I woke up to news of another mass shooting. This time, at a shopping mall outside of Dallas, Texas. The reporting I read was eight killed, seven wounded. Some were children. This makes at least 198 mass shootings in this country THIS YEAR ALONE. Why?

This was the topic of conversation over breakfast this morning between me and my husband. Granted, we were both emotional about it at first, talking about possible courses of action the government might take: the executive branch declaring a “state of emergency”; the intelligence agencies investigating possible underground domestic terrorism networks; the legislative branch passing bills restricting the sales (possibly even ownership) of battle weaponry and associated accessories, like body armor; state legislatures doing likewise; removing from the market any and all gaming videos simulating the slaughter of human beings.

But after talking it through, we concluded that, realistically, NONE of this is going to happen. Why? Because of the nature of the system under which we live: the American system valuesMONEY, profits, over human life.

Think about it. President Dwight Eisenhower described the American system perfectly: “a military-industrial complex.” And it’s the industries, the corporations, that are at the helm of our ship of state. Our elected officials – the vast majority – are wholly indebted to them (specifically, their “contributions”) for obtaining and maintaining their positions. Even the wealth-holders in this country have made their fortunes investing in the industry giants – weapons manufacturers to name just one. So, looking at it realistically, NOBODY – neither elected officials nor the wealthy in this country – is going to take ANY actionthat could potentially cut off their multiple “gravy trains,” and put them at risk of losing their wealth and/or elected office. Clearly, the “gun issue” is not going to be resolved by demanding action from American politicians, or suing for damages weapons industry manufacturers because they madethe guns someone used to slaughter our family members. As a people who are tragically, senselessly, being victimized by events seemingly beyond our control, what can we do? To whom do we turn to do something – something EFFECTIVE – about the insanity of 198 mass shootings in a five-month period? I think the only reasonable answer is: to OURSELVES.

Look, as a people, we can’t insist industries and corporations cease to do business. But we can change what WE do. And that WILL influence, decidedly, what manufacturers produce and market to us

I also recognize that what we’re witnessing in our country today is a symptom of our COLLECTIVE condition, to which I, naturally, contribute. So, by way of resolving our national dilemma, I’ve got to hold MYSELF accountable, and ask myself, how have I contributed to what I’m seeing in my country today? To what extent am I SUPPORTING the assault weapons industry? To what extent am I participating in, and contributing to, a culture that glamorizes, and normalizes violence against human beings?

These are questions I and my husband have asked ourselves, and I can say we’ve made significant changes in our own thinking, buying habits, and activities to contribute to the whole, a valuing of sustainable LIFE over money and profits. Respectfully, for the sake of our collective well-being, we encourage our fellow Americans to do the same.

Cathy Simons

Alamogordo, New Mexico

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