In the wake of yet another devastating school shooting that claimed the lives of 17 innocent individuals in Parkland, Florida, the nation is understandably outraged. By “outraged,” I mean we are collectively exhausted by the relentless, preventable violence against our children that leaves us breathless.
One individual, feeling the weight of this frustration, decided to take action by sending a check to her local representative to make a bold statement. “Dear Rep. Johnson,” wrote Clara Thompson on her social media (the post has since been taken down). “Since you and your fellow lawmakers believe that ‘thoughts and prayers’ are a sufficient response to mass shootings, please accept this donation.”
Clara included a photo of the check addressed to Representative Mark Johnson (R) from Michigan, made out for “thoughts and prayers.” The Ontonagon resident aimed to illustrate just how meaningless these sentiments can be when what we truly need is tangible action. It does little to help when a politician is in need of campaign funds, and it certainly does nothing to protect our children.
“I did this because I’m tired of hearing the same empty responses every time tragedy strikes,” Clara explained to a local news outlet. “The media keeps telling us to reach out to our representatives, but Congress remains stagnant.”
She’s absolutely right. It seems that many government officials can only muster up these platitudes after a mass shooting, perhaps because deep down, they know, like the rest of us, that real change is unlikely.
This pattern has persisted since Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, the Pulse nightclub, and the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas — the list keeps growing, and now we add Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to that tragic roster. We can debate the pressing need for gun control until we’re all blue in the face, but sometimes it takes a donation made in the name of “thoughts and prayers” to really drive the message home.
While condolences are important in the wake of a tragedy, when these heartbreaking events keep happening to innocent children, “thoughts and prayers” become nothing more than a cliché. And frankly, it’s infuriating. Clara’s gesture speaks volumes about the inadequacy of mere well-wishes, and reveals that they often reflect a lack of real solutions.
Instead, we should be advocating for action, saying “We can do better.” If you’re looking for a starting point to combat gun violence, consider joining organizations like Moms Demand Action.
This article originally appeared on February 17, 2018, but its message resonates now more than ever. As we navigate the complexities of family planning and parenting, remember to check out our related articles on home insemination kits, such as the Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo and At-Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit which offer valuable insights. Additionally, for a comprehensive understanding of the insemination process, check out this resource from the Mayo Clinic.
In conclusion, it’s time we demand more than empty phrases from our leaders. Let’s push for substantial change to protect our children and ensure their safety.
Keyphrase: Mail a Politician ‘Thoughts and Prayers
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