Support and silence in honor of Newtown, Connecticut
In light of the recent horror in Newtown, Connecticut, I have little to say. Everything I can think to write about any other topic seems paltry and out-of-place.
I can only say please, out of kindness to those who are suffering, leave out the opinions, the politics and all the self-gratifying analysis that puts the world neatly back into boxes we can control and understand. It doesn’t change this. Doesn’t fix this. Doesn’t heal or help or do anything to this.
We don’t need to prod these wounds to make ourselves feel.
We need to show respect to each other, no matter the side of the political or religious aisle, because our bickering solves nothing right now. Yes, we need to have the important discussions on gun control and violence in our country. We cannot let those topics fade after the immediacy of this pain has gone. But at this moment, more than anything else, we must support those who are hurting, even if that support has to come only in the form of respectful silence.
And we must help each other. Several organizations have begun funds to aid the children and families of Sandy Hook Elementary and Newtown, Connecticut. A few of them are as follows:
United Way of Western Connecticut has set up the ‘Sandy Hook School Support Fund’ to provide support services to the families and community of Newtown. Information can be found on the United Way of Western Connecticut website.
An Indiegogo campaign has begun to raise money for an afterschool art program to help the children of Sandy Hook Elementary express and heal from the trauma they’ve experienced. UPDATE: Apologies, but it appears this site is no longer functional.
The website, WeAreBetterThanThis.org, has created a way for you to electronically send condolences to the families affected by this tragedy.
Radio station, Hot 97.5 of Mandan, ND has compiled a list of ways to help, including support for Operation Fuzzy Wuzzy, an organization that provides teddy bears to grieving students.
Hug your family and children today and every day. Thank a teacher, police officer, or emergency worker for what they do. Let’s come together to help those who are hurting, and not let heinous acts of violence tear us further apart.
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REQUEST REGARDING COMMENTS
With anything you say, please remember that we respect each other here. Even if our opinions differ, even if we may never see eye-to-eye, we still speak with respect, in the belief that we all want good for our fellow human beings.
Any suggestions of additional organizations offering support to the families of Newtown are appreciated. Thank you.