I’ve been to too many vigils in the past few years.
All in response to mass shootings.
The latest came in the aftermath of the El Paso and Dayton disasters.
I have mixed feelings about vigils. It seems to me they are similar to “thoughts and prayers.”
Having said this, though, I must admit to major differences. The thoughts and prayers proclamations usually arise from those who want to simultaneously look good and do nothing. That worked for a while, but people are beginning to catch on and demand more. Now the thoughts and prayers folk sometimes are forced to act like they actually want to respond to public outcries. As we’ve seen in an earlier post, they do this by looking for the most minor changes in gun laws they can imagine and then make them sound like major contributions. Like red flag laws. Like raising the age to purchase guns from 18 to 21. Big deal.
The true vigil folk do want change—real change—and are willing to fight for it. I’ve not been to a single vigil that didn’t demand restrictive gun laws. The people speaking and demanding range over a wide spectrum.
There are, of course, the politicians, always willing to orate. Some are truly good-hearted. Most are self-centered. All talk too long.
Then there are the advocacy groups, many of whom have been fighting for years against tremendous odds to bring sense to our country. And despite setback after setback, they line up for the next challenge. Unfortunately, some such groups want to run the show rather than cooperate with the efforts of established organizations. They suddenly appear in a state, ignore all others, and garner lots of publicity. You can tell them from the others because in their vigil talks they tell about themselves while the others discuss taking action.
The third speaker class is heartbreaking. These are the survivors. These are the people who have been shot at or have lost a son, daughter, parent, baby, friend to a deranged maniac who has all too easily been able to purchase a semi-automatic killing machine. Who can truly understand what they have experienced? Who can deny their right to demand reasonable gun laws? Who can object if they talk too long?
Why am I saying vigils and thoughts and prayers are similar? Because both seem to accomplish nothing. At least in the sense of making real changes in our laws. All the pretty words, and all the forceful demands, and all the promises that “this time it will be different” wind up with no changes. Then, after the next shooting, someone says we should have a vigil to process it.
Don’t misinterpret me. I think both vigils and thoughts and prayers are positive things. But not because they cause changes. Rather because they serve as expressions of comfort to those affected most directly by the shootings: survivors and the family and friends of victims.
Or to others, to anybody who is disgusted or scared about what is happening to our country. There’s something cathartic about vigils, about being surrounded by equally appalled individuals. It’s comforting to know there are other decent humans not only in the world, but in your own local community.
So I say, yes, hold the vigils. Yes, do send thoughts and prayers, but only if you really care and are not just trying to look good.
But then, when you’ve finished delivering your comforting message or have returned home after the vigil, think about what action you can take to effect true change.
Then do it.
All in response to mass shootings.
The latest came in the aftermath of the El Paso and Dayton disasters.
I have mixed feelings about vigils. It seems to me they are similar to “thoughts and prayers.”
Having said this, though, I must admit to major differences. The thoughts and prayers proclamations usually arise from those who want to simultaneously look good and do nothing. That worked for a while, but people are beginning to catch on and demand more. Now the thoughts and prayers folk sometimes are forced to act like they actually want to respond to public outcries. As we’ve seen in an earlier post, they do this by looking for the most minor changes in gun laws they can imagine and then make them sound like major contributions. Like red flag laws. Like raising the age to purchase guns from 18 to 21. Big deal.
The true vigil folk do want change—real change—and are willing to fight for it. I’ve not been to a single vigil that didn’t demand restrictive gun laws. The people speaking and demanding range over a wide spectrum.
There are, of course, the politicians, always willing to orate. Some are truly good-hearted. Most are self-centered. All talk too long.
Then there are the advocacy groups, many of whom have been fighting for years against tremendous odds to bring sense to our country. And despite setback after setback, they line up for the next challenge. Unfortunately, some such groups want to run the show rather than cooperate with the efforts of established organizations. They suddenly appear in a state, ignore all others, and garner lots of publicity. You can tell them from the others because in their vigil talks they tell about themselves while the others discuss taking action.
The third speaker class is heartbreaking. These are the survivors. These are the people who have been shot at or have lost a son, daughter, parent, baby, friend to a deranged maniac who has all too easily been able to purchase a semi-automatic killing machine. Who can truly understand what they have experienced? Who can deny their right to demand reasonable gun laws? Who can object if they talk too long?
Why am I saying vigils and thoughts and prayers are similar? Because both seem to accomplish nothing. At least in the sense of making real changes in our laws. All the pretty words, and all the forceful demands, and all the promises that “this time it will be different” wind up with no changes. Then, after the next shooting, someone says we should have a vigil to process it.
Don’t misinterpret me. I think both vigils and thoughts and prayers are positive things. But not because they cause changes. Rather because they serve as expressions of comfort to those affected most directly by the shootings: survivors and the family and friends of victims.
Or to others, to anybody who is disgusted or scared about what is happening to our country. There’s something cathartic about vigils, about being surrounded by equally appalled individuals. It’s comforting to know there are other decent humans not only in the world, but in your own local community.
So I say, yes, hold the vigils. Yes, do send thoughts and prayers, but only if you really care and are not just trying to look good.
But then, when you’ve finished delivering your comforting message or have returned home after the vigil, think about what action you can take to effect true change.
Then do it.
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