☕Morning fam,
St. Louis is having yet another march. I lost count of how many marches, vigils and rallies we’ve had for victims this past year, let alone since Ferguson or the last mass shooting. St. Louis still hasn’t figured out it can’t march itself out of the issues plaguing the region. Marching will not prevent the next tragedy. Promising to do better in the media, then dropping the ball as soon as last month’s school shooting is no longer front page news or God forbid is overshadowed by another tragedy will not bring change. Vowing to fund the arts and the same nonprofits will not prevent the next tragedy.
We’re still not having the right conversations. No talk about how SLPS failed the gunman or the how environment within contributed to last month’s mass shooting. No talk about how police dropped the ball when Orlando Harris’ mother sought help in getting the weapon used away from his grasp. Or addressing the mental health needs of traumatized students, teachers, staff and parents.
Regional schools are in crisis and regional leaders continue to be dismissive of the gravity of the situation in their response. Jana Elementary School is closed due to radiation round in the creek near the playground, but simply closing the school and switching to remote learning does not address health issues students, teachers and staff may be enduring or the long term effects.
Money is being allocated to fund everything except the mental heal and well being of those dealing with the consequences of decades of systemic failure. A march is easy. It gives elected leaders a platform to pretend to care. It gives orgs opportunities to apply for more grants with zero metrics or accountability. It gives actorvists another opportunity to brand themselves or come up off the trauma of others. It doesn’t address the root causes or the trauma victims are experiencing or the community.
It didn’t after the last mass shooting. It didn’t during Ferguson. And sadly it won’t prevent the next tragedy, in fact it almost guarantees it.
It’s only a matter of time.
