Thoughts of the Day ~ May 26, 2022
WordPress is eating my posts. I just noticed one missing from last week…and I see yesterday’s never went up. So I’m going to share it here.
Yesterday’s was NOT Plus Size Outfit of the Day post…but a Thoughts of the Day…and I shared this on my TikTok NOT Gratitude of the Day as well, so forgive the repetition if you follow both, but it bears repeating anyway.
Tuesday evening I went straight from busy work day to home for rush rush homework so I could be done early for a webinar training called “Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment” training, a collaboration between Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and Right To Be.
I do feel that I have received so much joy, entertainment, and pleasure from the Asian cultures that it behooves me to help them in any way that I can. I’m in the city and Queens pretty often, where there is a large Asian population. And I just thought…let me learn something so I can be prepared to help if I can, should anything ever occur near me. PS – the training was very good. It gave good practical suggestions for things you can do, sort of based on your personality…are you a person who’s going to jump right into the middle of the action or are you someone who would be more comfortable going for help…or filming…or whatever. I think it’s good information for anyone, anywhere really.
Anyway, I’d been living under a rock as usual, not knowing what was going on in the world…but at the beginning of the webinar they asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the Texas shooting earlier that day. Ooh. What??
I Googled it when the training was over and was dismayed (to say the least) to learn what had happened.
And I just…I know we all have a heavy heart when things like this happen. There aren’t even words that have enough impact.
I’m not getting into the whole gun thing here…I wish the US could handle this better. Many countries do.
But I guess the one take-away I have from this…and all events like this is…if you know someone…or see someone…who is struggling, mentally, emotionally, physically…say or do something. To them, a boss, teacher, family member, social worker. Drop an anonymous tip at the police station. Something.
I know it’s SO HARD to intervene. It’s easy to feel like, “am I just being dramatic? am I jumping the gun? am I going to make the situation worse?” This all sort of goes back to the bystander intervention training. There are sensible ways to step in – whether literally or figuratively.
No rational, reasonable person of sound mind and body just decides one day to go kill a bunch of people without cause (even if it’s just in their own mind). Something has been brewing there…and chances are someone saw something.
I think I have always felt “the law” would protect me/us. I don’t think I think that anymore (way to take a stand, Bettye). So what’s the best alternative??
This is a little all over the place. This is not the sort of thing I typically share here…or anywhere, really. And it’s not even really about the Texas shooting, per se. Just that and the intervention training all crashed into my brain at the same time and made THOUGHTS.
What I said on TikTok was…my first thought when I saw the news was “I’m so grateful it wasn’t my child.” And that felt…wrong. It feels wrong to feel lucky…when others have been so unlucky.
My heart breaks for them…and that whole community that has to live with that memory right in their own backyard.
How do we get…humanity back on track?? I have thoughts. Do you?
Let’s all be a little gentler and kinder with folks. It can’t hurt.
xoxo
Marsha Banks
I have thoughts, too. I taught fourth grade for many years…same age as those murdered children. I practiced lockdown drills with my students (due to Columbine…I retired before Sandy Hook). I had students question the validity of locking a door against an armed person when the western half of our classroom was windows. I know part of the answer is legislating gun control now…once and for all now. Do I think that will happen? Absolutely not. This country is so divided on so many issues; I don’t think this will be resolved ever. It will take the populace standing up and working together to get something done. I am so sad, angry, sympathetic, and like you, guilty. I feel guilty because those weren’t my grandchildren, and I still get to snuggle and hug and love them. I have a blog post if you’d care to read it, but it doesn’t offer any new insights.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/we-must-be-better/
bettyewp
Thanks for your comment, Marsha. I’m sure you were a wonderful teacher as you sound like an empathetic person. When I was in elementary school we had those air raid drills where we’d get under our desks and fold our arms over our heads. But sadly, it was far less likely that we were ever going to have a bomb dropped on us, than it is for today’s school-children to be shot in their classrooms by a person.
The EXTREME divisiveness of this country right now is…just one more thing pushing me to dream of living other places.
And now I’m off to read your blogpost!
Rhonda
Thank you for this post. I have thoughts, too, but have been bullied (by another blogger) with opposing views, so am hesitant to say anything, anymore. Indeed, kindness and love to all would go a long way in helping our nation, as a whole. We are all humans with feelings and these tragic events reiterate just how fragile life is. Mental health needs to be a priority. I don’t understand why that is so hard to address . Bless you, and bless those innocent souls and their families.
bettyewp
Oh gosh, thank you SO MUCH for this comment, Rhonda! I was so SCARED to post this. Like you said, there are meanies and bullies out there, and I am NOT good with that (why ARE there so many meanies and bullies??). I feel just awful that you were bullied by another blogger, UGH. You want I should kick them in the shins for you?
Maybe that’s not being nice. BUT COME ON!
That’s again for making a point to say that 🙂
Marceline Miller
I have lots of thoughts, but as they are not of the kind endorsed by CNN/ MSNBC/ “The View” etc.etc. I know that I’d be ripped to shreds. But just let me say that I enjoy your blog, so much. I look for it every day.
bettyewp
Thanks, Marceline. I appreciate that. And you. Coming here every day 🙂
Marceline Miller
Just to add, I read about two practical ways to help in the wake of the Texas elementary school tragedy:
-Find the Victims First GoFundMe for “Texas Elementary School” Donations are supposed to be 100% directed to families. Sorry I am too inept to know how to include a link
-The city of Uvalde is collecting funds for medical expenses: Send a check to City of Uvalde, PO Box 799, Uvalde TX 78802
bettyewp
You’re not inept! Look, you got the pertinent information across right here.
But here https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/donate-to-texas-elementary-school-shooting-relief in case that makes it easier for anyone.
Thank you, Marceline!