|
Dear Neighbor,
Over the past few weeks, there have been multiple tragic events, intense political debates, and confusion and questions arising from announcements made by the federal administration. In the midst of it all, our communities continue to do important work together so our neighbors remain healthy, safe and even thrive.
I want to begin by unequivocally condemning the violence that has occurred in recent months and weeks, including the assassinations of Charlie Kirk and Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman, the shooting at the Texas ICE facility, the ambush of the police officers in Pennsylvania, the school shootings in Colorado and Minnesota, and every other act of violence that injures and kills our community members, and continues to divide us as neighbors.
Violence does not solve problems. It creates more problems. Spending time focusing on party, political or religious beliefs, gender identity, and more as a way to blame and lump together entire segments of the population keeps us from remembering our shared humanity and coming together for common solutions preventing and stopping this violence.
Yesterday, the Builders Movement and fellow legislators held a screening of Tennessee 11, a film about 11 Tennessee residents brought together after the Covenant School shooting to find shared policy solutions to prevent senseless gun violence. Dean Megan Ranney of the Yale School of Public Health suggested solutions can be found when we find space, listen, persist, offer grace to one another, begin where we agree, and allow the conversation to change our perspective. I agree!
|
