This is a happy blog. Over the years, I've made it my mission to always focus on the positive, to highlight designers that bring me joy and show me a vision of life that is sweeter, kinder, lovelier, and more wonderful. It's what I typically write about every Wednesday - only wonderful things.
I still feel that mission is important, especially in trying and confusing times. I will continue to share wonderful things with you. But I've also been thinking about our role as artistic voices in the world, and sometimes, there are unpleasant things, not wonderful in any way, that need our thoughts as well. We just celebrated a remembrance day to commemorate all the men and women who gave their lives in service to their countries.
I think the people we have lost in America to gun violence deserve a remembrance as well.
As I write this post on Tuesday, there has been another elementary school shooting. Just a little over a week ago, a shooting in a church claimed the lives of 26 people. And in Las Vegas just a month ago, 59 people died and over 500 people were injured. Those who survived will carry the terror of what they've seen with them, for the rest of their lives.
How many more lives must be lost before change can happen in this country?
It's my birthday this week, which always makes me think about my life, my year, what I'm doing, and what I should be doing. It's also made me realize that my entire adult life has been punctuated by ever-increasing acts of violence. If you are over 40, you may remember a time you felt safe from gun violence as a very distant memory, just as I do.
But think about it- children and young people in America can
never remember a time they felt safe from gun violence. Everywhere we go, be it church, school, concerts, movies, any public gathering of any kind, we are no longer safe from the threat of gun violence. And yet again and again we hear the same tired arguments that there's nothing we can do, that all we can do is offer thoughts and prayers.
I believe prayers should lead us to actions. I believe our voices count and our words matter.
I use that voice right now to share one word:
Enough.
