Children Under Fire

I saw the story of a friendship between Ava Olsen (white girl from South Carolina) and Tyshaun McPhatter (black boy from Washington D.C.) on Twitter with a suggestion to read the title book to learn more. And, it is a powerful book, well written. 

A basic message is that the victims of gun violence in this country are much more than those who are directly shot with guns. They include those who loss someone, who experienced violence in some other way, and/or those who live in fear. And, a single incident can linger on for years. Such is true for all involved, but when dealing with people under ten years old, well, that is something. 

Ava Olsen loves writing and books.  The video talks about her letters (they are well written; one doubts Trump wrote the replies; she did get a second reply) to Trump. I thought a touching reference was something she had about the joy of friendship -- "I listen with my heart. I do not argu."  She saw her best friend die in first grade and years later was still greatly traumatized (she would be about 10 now).  Tyshaun, if not from the book as psychologically traumatized as she was in some sense, still is hurting too.  Just one of many.  While providing useful background material, the book tells some of their stories, including Ava's teacher (shot herself). 

The book ends with three main reform suggestions: universal background checks, child protection laws (keeping guns at home secure from children; the laws must have real bite for violators) and more research.  All can be provided without "violating the Second Amendment," including using that term to me some wider symbolic view of the importance of freedom of have guns. As one South Carolina government official said, such reasonable policies if anything can protect the Second Amendment.  

While reading this book, another child was killed by police, and it became another national outrage.  Adam Toledo was thirteen.  He was shot at 2:35 AM after he was seen having a gun.  This is not said to justify what was done, but it has to be said.  Why did he have a gun?  This is an earlier reporting, before the most recent which provides video that shows his hands up without a gun.  Many will point to the evil police officer, who recklessly shot a child.  The mayor said that city failed him. Yes. In multiple ways, including allowing him somehow to get a gun.  

Police related deaths have resulted in a lot of protests in recent years. The solutions to me often are big picture -- the #DefundPolice movement, for instance, to me hits to an important point.  Some argue it is too extreme.  I think it validly deals with structural problems that are much more than bad police officers or even lack of a means to address their wrongdoing. It is often the use of police -- in a traffic stop, to deal with someone mentally ill or a reckless drug bust -- itself that is the problem.  

[Let me insert here this bit about "are there good cops" from some guy who loves to toss around "fascists" and the like.

My reply, which got some attention, tried to look at it from a different point of view.  I suggested that the problem is partially the system.  Besides, even a small subset of problem cases would be problematic.  So, I suggested granting "most" police are individually okay.  This didn't mean the system is or that there weren't a sizable number of problem officers.  But, just working off the idea "cops = bad" is not to me a helpful approach.

Again, some didn't like my reply.]

We also are logically emotionally affected by mass shootings, especially involving schools.  But, the boy's dad was killed outside of a school.  He still is hurting.  Suicide is a major way people die from guns.  Gun safety and research would significantly address that issue, including when children kill themselves or suffer when those close to them do so.  Universal background checks is a broad means to address the gun problem.  And, trying to point out that such and such would not stop such and such event -- if we even can figure that out -- doesn't mean all are important.

Ultimately, the book promotes empathy.  We care about these children.  We care about those in school and in their families who suffer along with them and try to do what they can to address their needs. And, that too is important.  I think of one thing that is put forth as a scare tactic these days -- trans people, often kids. It often is about having basic empathy.  To treat them as people with specific needs, not a specter.  Empathy can help with big solutions too.  But, ultimately, it is helpful day to day.