In the aftermath of another school shooting, this time only a few miles away from where I live, what does “the practice of invitation” look like? Who am I inviting, and to what? The truth is, the insanity of a society where people (often children themselves) routinely walk into schools and other public places with guns and within seconds create a horror raises up feelings of violence in me, myself. I want to roar. I want to lash out. I want to cast a spell of righteous indignation that obliterates it all.
Violence breeds violence. I know this. I can feel this. I really need, for my own soul’s sake, to find a response other than lashing out.
A friend suggested I call the Governor’s office and leave a message. I dialed the number, and the options didn’t sound like they were going to get me anywhere, and I wasn’t sure I could deliver an invitation that didn’t sound like lashing out, anyway. Later, I found the Governor’s Facebook page, and I sent a Direct Message.
Governor, I am a retired teacher living in Gwinnett County, in Lawrenceville. Yesterday, the first news I heard was you saying that today was not the day to talk about policy regarding the shooting at Apalachee High School.
I want to invite you to reconsider that. I am a person of faith, and I pray every day, but the call for prayers and the refusal to work on policy change will not help Apalachee or the next school from being attacked. And we all know there will be a next school.
Better, stricter gun laws are the only thing that will help reduce these horrors. Better, stricter gun laws that keep guns out of the hands of people who cannot be responsible with them is all that will help. Please consider that. Please use your office to work on that. Today and every day until we have change.
I also want to offer this invitation: that we take care of ourselves and those near us who may be suffering because of this latest shooting. Do what nourishes your soul. We need our souls to be strong and healthy. We have much ahead of us to bear.
~Bob Patrick
