I remember wondering over New Year's weekend what the first big news event of the year would be. Major news events have a way of setting the tone, for better or worse, for a specific time in our lives. Last year began with the Haiti earthquake and it touched millions of us as we not only watched the aftermath of the disaster unfold on TV, but we also contributed to the relief effort using text messages, a novelty that will no doubt become standard in such disasters. So, naturally, I wondered what event would kick of this new year and frame it in our minds, setting the tone as our days march forward. Little did I realize that it would be an event in my own city.
A mass-shooting that focuses the attention of the entire country is something that I would normally not have any difficulty writing about. But this event, so close to home and so brutal, leaves me without words. I'm a resident and native of Tucson and although I've moved away for years at a time, I've always called this Southwestern town home. And it goes without saying, nothing like this has ever happened here before.
What can I say that hasn't already been said in our national news media? Should I comment, as so many have, on the need for civility in our national political discourse? Many have done that far better than I could. Should I comment on how as a country we used to have a system for dealing with the mentally unstable rather than just leaving them to their own delusions? The point has been well made by others. Should I comment on the bravery and courage displayed by those who took down the shooter? That has been done as well.
Perhaps the only thing I can really share is insight from my own experiences. As an undergraduate I served as a Congressional intern and that experience demonstrated to me that our elected representatives are a very hard working group of people, far more capable, compassionate and committed to this country than they are usually given credit for. Sure, there are some corrupt and self-serving politicians, but I hope it doesn't surprise you that the majority serve because they sincerely want to make a difference. And while I don't know Representative Giffords personally, I do know people who know her, and they have nothing but praise for her. The tragedy here is that one of the "good guys" was taken out of the fight. And while we hope that her recovery and convalescence will be brief, our greatest challenge is to make sure that dozens, hundreds, thousands, even millions of people step forward in her place with resolve and determination to make this a better country.
We talk a lot of about change in our slogan-dominated political culture, but it's time we realize that the change has to begin with us. We have the power to use words to encourage, to build-up, and not tear down. We have the power of choice to offer solutions and not merely criticize, or worse, demonize our opponents. We can ask ourselves at the end of each day, "What did I do today to make this country a better place?" That, to me, is the only fitting response to this tragedy.
Image Credit: KVOA.COM
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