The Soultown! Volume IV: Issue 1 JANUARY 2020 | Page 9
Real Talk
Leadership
&
Gun Violence
in America
HARRISBURG, PA - Each January, America
honors one of its greatest activists and civil rights
leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His leadership
is evident throughout his short life. From his
leadership on the Montgomery bus boycott to his
Letter from Birmingham Jail to his “I Have a Dream”
speech, Dr. King’s words and actions continue to
inspire new generations struggling for social and
legislative change. Trailblazers like Dr. King, that
live on through their example, have lessons for all
of us.
Whenever I turn on the TV or read a news
article, I continuously ask myself, what would life
be without hatred? Furthermore, where are the real
leaders and why don’t they stand up against this
hatred?
Mass shootings continue to rise in the U.S.
according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA).
More mass shootings occurred than days in the
year. As of December 25, 2019, there have been
406 mass shootings in the U.S. – 29, which were
mass murders. 2019 surpassed the prior record
of 382 mass shootings in 2016. If you include gun
violence in total, the GVA said there have been a
total of 38,631 gun deaths — including homicides,
suicides, and accidents; in addition to 28,895
injuries in 2019.
The world is paying close attention to these gun
deaths; in addition, the increasingly bitter racial and
political fights in the United States that instigate
some of these incidents. It doesn’t help that
President Donald Trump continues to throw fuel
on the flames of hate with his words that instigate
some of these shootings by white nationalists.
People are desperate for leadership! Studies
show that almost 60% of Americans have been
affected by gun violence either personally or by
somebody they love. Every day, 100 people in
America are killed by guns.
The United States is amongst the most
developed nations on the planet, but recurring
violent gun tragedies occur. Other countries have
violent video games and movies, but not a quarter
of our endless cycle of gun violence.
After every shooting, the same cycle transpires.
A vigil is planned, the nation prays, and our elected
officials promise to legislate. We elect politicians
to make laws to maintain the balance between
order and freedom to protect us – not to imitate the
cowardly lion and represent lobbyist groups, such
as the National Rifle Association that buy their
loyalty with money. Will new laws eliminate all gun
violence? Of course not. Nevertheless, continuing
the same failed cycle is not policy – its empty
leadership and a lack of independence.
Our right to live and a person’s right to
responsibly bear arms can coexist, but we first
must believe it can. Great leaders set out to
accomplish what others think impossible. Dr. King,
fought for and ultimately gave his life for a more
ROGETTE HARRIS
Real Talk
-----------------------------------------------
Learn more about Rogette Harris at
Real Talk at www.rogette.com
and
thesoultown.com
Email Me: [email protected]
free and equal world, in part because he could
imagine it. The fight for racial, gender, etc., equality
is not over, but to continue this journey, we must
first believe there is a destination. The same is true
for reducing gun violence.
I am Rogette with Real Talk, and I’d like to
thank everyone who wants to start this decade
off with a new slate for having SOUL! ,
Jan. 2020 • Immortalizing Our Stories to Implore Positive Progress In Our Communities • thesoultown.com
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