August 4, 2019
Dear editor;
The recent shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio emphasize the need for the U.S. Congress to move beyond thoughts and prayers. These two shootings, along with the 2,128 other mass shootings we have had, depict a crumbling society rooted in a moral crisis. My heart goes out to the victims and families of this senseless tragedy. As a mother, I will fight for a strong, more effective approach.
Growing levels of gun violence and hate crimes will not be solved with a legislative silver bullet. We have to recognize that across America there is a sense of detachment from each other as human beings. Capitalism has boiled down the basic purpose, of our lives to an unfulfilling desire to constantly be working, producing, and consuming; in short, keeping up with the Joneses. It is our system that devalues human life.
Instead of supporting community and connectedness to each other, we are living through a period of American history where we are being purposely divided. We have to challenge the division and hate through unity, compassion, and empathy.
When we stand together, black, white, brown, or mixed, and demand a more just world with economic opportunity for all, we stand a chance of taking back our country and keeping our communities safe.
Although some politicians will only use this opportunity to call for stricter gun laws, I will use my voice to call for a government that represents everyone and an economy that works for everyone, so that we may share in our prosperity and not only in our grief.
In February 2019, the House of Representatives passed two bills to strengthen gun laws. It is a good first approach, it has not done enough to stop mass shootings. In the spirit of finding real solutions, we must have a unified approach. By having a truthful conversation about the root of these problems, I believe that we can find a way to lessen unnecessary gun violence.
Rachel Ventura
Candidate for Congress District 11
Joliet