When we are cowards we turn to find those against whom we may rise and we call them out and attempt to throw upon them the blame for all that is able to frighten us. In light of yet another shooting spree at a high school this week, have you noticed how some have raised up - once again - those who suffer from mental illness? If we do not lean in and listen closely, it almost sounds as though - people in positions of power - legislative positions -positions from which a more peaceable and nonviolent society is to be constructed - might be advocating for those who have mental illness. Be not fooled.
The ones in power need to stay in power. They need to be able to make the world go as the powers around them want the world to go. Therefore, there will be no talk that will put the powers-that-be in a light that might be negative - that might cause the crowds to turn against the powers. Instead, those in power point to ones on whom it is easy to draw a target. That is how those filled with power work - all of us. We have seen and heard people of color blamed and targeted. We have seen people of certain ethnic backgrounds (changing from generation to generation) blamed and targeted. We have seen religious folks blamed and targeted. As is usually the case, the targeting comes as a mere suggestion like: some say or I've been told. From a simple suggestion comes a message that begins to sound convincing to some and then to more and more. The fragile state of the majority must work endlessly to keep the world as they want it - even when it demands that there must be some sort of sacrifice for the existing powers to continue their influence and rule. The sacrifice is always those considered easy targets. Targets are easy to draw - it takes little energy - but the results are well known. The powerful begin to shoot them down - sacrifice them - single them out - push them to the edge - mark them. Oh my, how power convinces us how important it is to mark those people.
It is so damn easy to mark and shoot and then whip up the crowd. Under the guise of a concern for those who suffer from mental illness are we really turning to reach out and stand with and alongside them? I think not - though - through proper branding and good packaging, it may look like that. I would propose that the powers-that-be (Rep and Dem and President) are afraid to do anything but point fingers at those who suffer from mental illness. And yes, many shooters are sufferers of such a wide spread diagnosis - but most, by far, most of those who suffer from mental illness are as close as family, neighbors, loved ones of all types.
My mother often talked to me about her depression. It wasn't situational. It was systemic. It was a part of her - a part as real as her wrinkles and her hugs and her kisses. Medication helped to bring lows up to a smooth surface. Her lows - her depression was like mine - a rolling melancholy. We could laugh and cry at the similarity. I often say my depression comes on quickly and turns me into an overripe tomato - a mere touch, of any kind, would unleash tears or anger or deep silence. Most everyone doesn't know this about me. I also had a sister-in-law who suffered from mental illness. I did not have the opportunity to know her outside of the grasp of that disease - but I was able to see times of beauty and gentleness and kindness and love for others. And yet, without medication, the disease took her away from all who loved her for who she was - a wounded and beloved woman.
Folks will argue that we do not have a problem with guns - our problem is with people - people who suffer from mental illness and have guns. So, those who already live with the stigma of mental illness are now cast down into a more public and a much deeper hole. Why? Well, we need to make a target of that which is not really the problem among us. Even if we now begin to spend money to help those who suffer from mental illness (which is unlikely because it involves health and not weapons), I would suggest it is one nice way to divert attention from the violence among us that is ruled by our fear and our cowardice to face our fears. Instead of a vicious lynch mob, calling for the death of those people - we have become quite proficient at shaping a mob that wears the mask of benevolence and care.
We need not turn more and more people into victims by our branding. We need to turn and look at ourselves - our fears - our weaknesses - our frailties - our vulnerabilities - our ease to hate and harm and harbor violence within us. That may lead us to another pathway - one in which my life is worth no more than your life and together we can move closer to others around us and discover their worth. Then, we may work together to take away the rule of violence that we too often use to govern us and discover how we begin to take care of the other - no matter what the expense. We know how to spend money to put an end to others. It would be an amazing move to discover how to use our wealth to build a national character that offers a beginning to others. But, I know that frightens us when we think we will not be able to be the gods of our own lives. Fear not - love one another.
TRRR
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