Violence

Lately, hearing the news absolutely sickens me.

It’s not that I don’t understand that violence and evil exists. I am a big girl. I am quite aware of what potentially lurks outside the safety of my home and car. But, I don’t like it.

I am cautious and mindful. But, I don’t like it.

I am aware and vigilant. But, I don’t like it.

The worst part is, I think that we are becoming far too accustomed to it.

Case in point. Last December, evil reared its ugly head and murdered children and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was horrendous and the entire country mourned with the families of their treasured ones who died for nothing.

This past week, two teachers have died. One of these teachers was an ex-Marine who lost his life disarming a student gunman. Sure, it got news coverage. People shook their heads. And don’t even get me started about the situations that have come together to reduced some of our military to disgrunted employees who lash out.

But, it largely went without mention in what I saw on social media. The very same media that overflowed with emotion and angst over Sandy Hook’s tragedy hardly noticed teachers who died. No hearts poured out grief and the tragedy of the situation. It was on the news. It got official attention, but did we even stop for a minute and consider the enormity of this situation? That violence and evil had overcome two of our schools again? That the professionals who work for diminished pay compared to the corporate world were being murdered while in the bathroom or gunned down protecting other students.

Have we become so innundated by violence that we no longer take notice unless the location or the extent of the injuries and/or deaths is somehow novel? Is nothing sacred anymore? Is life no longer precious and the loss of life tragic? Are we so greedy for a new “sound bite” that the same ol’ murders bore us?