#ENOUGH
Open letters about gun violence. Submit through Vocal today.
Guns in America
After the latest massacre here in America, I feel it is time for yet another piece on my feelings. Yes, this time it was not in a synagogue, like my first article about this controversial topic, but I cannot help but think that perhaps Private First Class Glendon Oakley could still feel like a normal soldier, instead of being praised as a hero just for doing his job and what he was trained for. It is hard not to say that Oakley isn't a hero, he is, but he did what I would hope any kind human being would do. He protected innocent lives, children, the future of our world, the ones who we hope can make this world better.
Erika FarrahPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Normalization of Extreme Violence
Extremism and all the other -isms that exist out there are not usually pretty things. They instigate us, embroil us, and fuel us with unhealthy emotions: for most of us, rage (at the idiocy of the fundamental ideal) and sadness mixed in with a little bit of fear (would be classified as the healthy response, by most psychologists).
Elric PankstonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Heroism Resulting from the El Paso Walmart Shooting
These are some very dark times indeed for El Paso, Texas, and our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to all who have been affected by the shooting at the Walmart there. We could discuss the shooter, and we could discuss his motives, but above all else, the man is a coward for killing 20 innocent lives and injuring many more. We probably shouldn't give this man the notoriety he craves for this terrible act. On the other hand, one of the things we could also discuss would be the acts of heroism we saw during this horrific incident. Here are some examples of how the human spirit cannot be quashed even in the most difficult of times:
Vaden ChandlerPublished 5 years ago in The SwampStand, and Be True
TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of gun violence, concentration camps, mental illness, sexual assault, torture, inhumane conditions.
Paige GraffunderPublished 5 years ago in The SwampPolitical Fear - Let's Be Honest!
Honestly, where do we even begin? There's been a weight of fear and sadness that overcame me, and what seems to be the rest of the world. Rather or not you want to believe that social media has a part in this is up to you, and not something I want to debate about. However, I do want to talk about what we see through every platform.
Danii BarraganPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhere Is 'Safe'?
Dear Vocal Readers, Oh, safety, it seems to be a thing of the past in today's society. At this point mass shootings are just a regular occurrence in the US, which is beyond morbid. To become desensitized to such a display of violence should tell us that there is something seriously wrong with our current situation. These acts of terrorism are popping up in more and more locations as well, when the majority used to occur in a school setting. With any area posing a risk to our safety now, where are we supposed to feel safe?
Video Blames
The horrific mass shootings of the past couple of days are about to enter the well-known cycle of public discourse meant to account for their existence. People have to talk about these events to make sense of them, to account for why they happened, and to make sense of them—that is, to make sure they do not disrupt the normal order of the country. As usual, video games and the internet are taking a lot of the blame. But something is different this time.
Steve LlanoPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Gun Control Lie
There were two horrific shootings within 19 hours of each other this weekend. This is a tragedy and no one should have to endure this in their lifetimes. The fact that the media and the left are trying to get you to think this is an "alt-right" radicalist. The problem is they have only told you the bits and pieces that further their agendas. The question that should be asked is why are there only excerpts from the note being read on the news? Now once more let me state, I am neither left nor right. I am unaffiliated and I am more than capable of making up my mind. That being said sure I lean more right of center than left of center, but the fact remains I can make up my mind for myself.
Bradley PerryPublished 5 years ago in The SwampI'm an Aussie
I am an Aussie. It’s like being an American, but without a gun. No-one likes being told what they should do, particularly when it’s someone in another country on the other side of the world.
Ian McKenziePublished 5 years ago in The SwampFrom El Paso with Amor
More than half a million people live in El Paso Tx, and 35,0000 visit a day! El Pasoans took to the internet to reach out to their friends and family.
jadepointsPublished 5 years ago in The SwampDear America...
Dear America, My name is Johnny Reed, a freelance Journalist from a city called Leeds in the UK, somewhere that geographically seems a million miles away from El Paso in Texas. Yet for some reason, today I can’t help but feel close to the Texan community in a way I never thought I would.
Jonathan ReedPublished 5 years ago in The SwampYou Don't Need to Own a Gun
America is the world’s leader in gun-related killings. In the US, it costs as much money to own a MacBook, as it does to own an assault rifle. This is relatively little compared to the rest of the world. Additionally, the US has not tightened its gun legislation in response to mass shootings, as has been done in Australia after a mass shooting in 1996, or in New Zealand after the recent shooting in Christchurch.
Craig MiddletonPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp