The events that have occured over the past the past weekend have given me some very mixed emotions. On one hand, I feel so much remorse for the victims involved in these shootings, and I have so much empathy and internal support for their families, because I can't even begin to fathom what they're going through and feeling right now. On the other hand, I'm angry. I'm of course angry at the gunmen for commiting these wicked acts in the first place, but I'm also angry at the fact that although these shootings happen, nothing seems to really change. Yes, we go on social media and post and tweet about how sorry we feel, but that doesn't really change the situation. I'm angry, because too many people are dead from gun violence, yet nothing seems to really change. Here are some ways that we can actually change the narrative, how we can make small changes that will make a huge impact, and how we should be uniting as a country to prevent hate crimes and violence. I'm no expert on these things, and all of these options are my opinions and my opinions only.

1. Get off Twitter and contact your representative

Social media, although something that unites us, often is the source of our disconnection with one another. Tweeting and spreading awareness about an issue such as a shooting is important, because not only does it call attention to an issue, but it also helps to keep people safe and alert them about a potential threat. Excessively tweeting your sorrows for others, however, does not actually help the problem of keeping people safe in future situations that always sadly seem to occur. What can create change, however, is contacting your local government representative. My friend, Caitlyn Horton, created a social change project all about the importance of contacting your representatives about questions and concerns you may have. On her website, found here, you can find the specific number to call for issues that meet your concerns, as well as the number for your personal representative. Again, if this is something you feel interested in doing, you can find the link here.

2. Boycott the gun industry

It's hard to deny that guns are behind these shootings. If you see guns as the source of the issue, don't support the gun industry. Don't renew your hunting license, don't buy a pistol for your home. Since we live in a capitalist society, make your voice heard by refusing to generate economic growth for the gun industry.

3. Provide more resources and reduce stigma for individuals with a mental illness

So many individuals have a mental health issue in the United States. Although mental illness does not give tragedies an excuse to exist, it does play a part in the behind-the-scenes of so many tragedies. We can help to change this by contacting our representatives to change the way we handle mental health as a nation, which ultimately might help to make us stronger and more united.

Educate, support, prevail. This is how we grow as a country and hopefully create an end to violence.