In all seriousness, no one needs to know my opinion on the recent shooting event near the Mall in Columbia. I am not in a position to have any unique and or valuable insight on this topic.
Have you noticed that quite a few locals have never stopped to consider this concept? How many things have been posted in the last few days that fall under the category of “I’m as mad as hell and I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about”?
Everyone has the right to their own opinion but for heaven's sake I wish that more people had the good sense to think before they speak. The flood of thoughtless, hateful - - and yes, racist - - invective is more than unnecessary. It does harm. It floods the social media space and makes it impossible to hear different points of view. It silences quieter or more thoughtful voices. It pushes out people who might actually have unique and valuable insight.
This is why County Executive Calvin Ball’s statement to the community, appealing to our better angels, was met with so much derision.
Angry mobs with pitchforks are not thinkers. They are not problem solvers. Angry mobs exist to enable hatred and to keep the world safe for angry mobs.
They have little thought for the rest of us. It is easy for them to label entire groups as “less than human.”
Let me tell you whose voices I want to hear: people who really, really know. I am talking about teachers who work with and really care about young people who are at risk. Mentors and recreational program leaders. Pastors, community members, neighbors, friends. I am not saying that any of these folks have a magic solution to violence among young people but they are the ones who know things that we do not.
But, honestly: they don’t owe us anything. The pain is too raw. This is not some easy “click and share” news story for them. It is personal. They are hurting. And we can hardly expect them to push through the ugly rantings of the social media vigilantes.
To them I say: thank you. For all of your work and love and hoping against all odds that the young people in your care will thrive and be safe. And, also: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain of this moment and the pain of seeing the larger community choose to vilify instead of uniting to offer empathy and support.
If we truly want to be a part of positive change we need to make space for these quiet voices who are routinely ignored and shouted down. They are the only people who have something of value to share and, it seems, no one wants to hear it.
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