The shooting in Overland Park has weighed heavily on my mind and heart today. The family of the grandfather and grandson who were killed includes a friend of mine from college. I hope I would have still been pushed into a time of reflection had I not seen it on my newsfeed, but I dont think I would have given it the time I have devoted to thinking about its impact. Things like this happen too often. Killing is never easy to justify--in any context. Killing out of hate owns its own level of idiocy and senselessness. One never achieves whatever misdirected, ridiculous, unjustifiable goal they may have when doing harm to others out of hate. They seek to do harm because somebody is different. As my friend put it, this guy wanted to kill some Jews. He killed two Methodists instead. We stereotype and see superficial differences, but we fail to see what makes us more similar than different. More importantly, when we emphasize the differences, we refuse opportunities to come together as a people. Actions out of hate only breed more hate. And pain for others who are the unfortunate bystanders. I truly hope every household will spend time talking to their children about respecting difference. About valuing difference. About the power of love and words that encourage. That would be the only blessing that can come out of any tragedy like this.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 01:12:52 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015