I was walking out of school last week, when another student began to walk a little too close behind me. I was walking out of school in my "safe" small town, when I felt I needed to quicken my step. I didn't know anything more than his first name, and that he hung out with the people that are in, supposedly, the "wrong crowd."
A sunny Tuesday afternoon in my tiny town, and a fast-walking kid with a sweatshirt made me nervous.
I had no reason to feel that tense. But then again, how could I not? I've grown up in a time where I hug my mom a little tighter before I go to the movies. I've grown up in a time where getting an education means trying to forget how other students have walked into their schools just like I do, but never went home.
There have been 18 shootings on school grounds since the start of this year. 45 days, 18 shootings. The most recent of these tragedies was on February 14th, 2018, when a shooter entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and opened fire. The suspect (as of Wednesday, February 14th, 7:00pm), is 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz.
Parkland was named Florida's safest city last year.
17 families are missing their loved ones right now, as another town has been torn to pieces.
And what now? Our country mourns. Politicians give their condolences on Twitter. And then, a week or so will go by, and it will just have been another "terrible day" that we only could "pray never comes" (Sen. Marco Rubio). Our wise President took to Twitter as well to say that "no child, teacher, or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school."
Well, Mr. Trump, I feel unsafe. I feel unsafe in American schools.
This can't be the new normal. We can't keep watching innocent people die, feel bad about it for a couple days, and then not make a change. How many people have to die before our government does something to protect us?
Politicians, your "prayers and condolences" are appreciated. You're lack of action, is not. Make a change. Protect us the way you say you care so greatly about doing. Stop making deadly weapons attainable to dangerous people. Save lives.
Maybe go ahead and "Make America Great Again" or something.
