What do Dylann Roof, Elliot Rodger, and several other mass shooters have in common?
Besides being murderous assholes, of course.
It's not just that they're white men (who BTW, are easily the most likely demographic to own guns - particularly white conservative men); think about who their targets were...
IMHO, this aspect of gun violence deserves far more consideration than it gets, particularly as it pertains to mass shootings in public spaces (which is quite possibly the most horrifically cruel and barbaric way for someone to demonstrate his anger and resentment toward society - a society that, in the warped and entitled minds of all too many white men, somehow owes them everything simply because they are white men). Not only are these shootings inherently anti-social in the extreme, they are a direct assault on the very values that most Americans - and most people, all over the world - hold dear: freedom (from fear especially - the freedom from the fear of violence, in this case), equality, peace, co-existence, community, solidarity, and love for one's neighbor, one's brothers and sisters. These shootings are truly an attack on the very notion and ideal of a public space where people from every background imaginable can come together and live in peace and harmony with one another.
This is very important for us to understand if we are serious about combating and defeating this horrific threat to our lives, our communities, and our values. This ideology of entitlement and violence must be stopped, and must be stopped yesterday. Too many good, innocent, and loving souls have lost their lives due to the senseless actions of these anti-social pricks. I, for one, have had enough.
Solidarity!
billh58
(6,641 posts)Thanks for all that you do...
YoungDemCA
(5,714 posts)And, you're welcome!