We need not only a national conversation, but actual policies that address all of the elements that led to this tragedy—elements that have long been part of our broader societal challenges: gun safety, lack of mental health investments—which should help to keep healthy minds from becoming unhealthy minds, an over-abundance of violence in our media, curricula that ignores the value of social and e...motional skills like mindfulness, empathy and tolerance. I look forward to a healthy debate in Congress on sensible gun reforms that can keep dangerous weapons out of the hands criminals and the mentally ill. In this regard, EVERYTHING should be on the table for discussion— more background checks, high-capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, assault weapons, etc.
At the same time, all of us need to ask and answer the question: How does a young child become so disconnected from his classmates, his community and his parents that he can commit such a heinous act and how much of the answer needs to be a shift in our own behavior and therefore shift our culture. This conversation can and must be conducted in a way that reduces aggression, not increases it. That means a civil discourse that honors the lives of those young children and their courageous teachers. To me, that would show some courage. Yelling and screaming and increased incivility does not honor their memory. As Abraham Lincoln said, "There is nothing stronger than gentleness."See More
At the same time, all of us need to ask and answer the question: How does a young child become so disconnected from his classmates, his community and his parents that he can commit such a heinous act and how much of the answer needs to be a shift in our own behavior and therefore shift our culture. This conversation can and must be conducted in a way that reduces aggression, not increases it. That means a civil discourse that honors the lives of those young children and their courageous teachers. To me, that would show some courage. Yelling and screaming and increased incivility does not honor their memory. As Abraham Lincoln said, "There is nothing stronger than gentleness."See More
