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 9