America: The Normalization of Mass Shootings

Over the past decade, the occurrences of mass shootings of  in America has significantly sky-rocketed. This year alone, America made history with the largest mass shooting in history in Las Vegas, Nevada at a country musical festival. Just this week, Texas suffered another shooting at a church where a gunman opened fire injuring and killing several of its members. In the last decade there have been 17 mass shootings, with four out of  five deadliest shootings taking place since 2007 according to a recent article posted by CNN.com. With the increase of these devastating acts of cowardice, it appears that Americans have become immune to such occurrences, have we given up faith in humanity?

The normalization of mass shootings seem to be something that has consistently plagued the country, although there seems to be limited effort in trying to reduce such shootings. Several years ago, a mass shooting would have seemed outrageous and  appalling, but now people really don't seem to be effected as heavily. Could it be the media? Is the issue the open access to weaponry (This topic can have a blog dedicated to it specifically)? Either way, innocent people are dying and it's being brushed off as a everyday thing, in comparison to losing your car keys or forgetting to take the dog out for a walk. While no one really knows when shootings such as these will take place, we should not take a simplistic and carefree approach to them. As a country we have to learn not only be sympathetic but empathetic to those who have experienced these unjustifiable and certifiable acts. As a country, we have to de-normalize mass shootings, trying to understand the increase, and develop efforts to reduce them. If nothing is done, we have failed as a society and the youth are doomed.

Check THIS out:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/health/mass-shootings-in-america-in-charts-and-graphs-trnd/index.html

Fighting Harvey - Who's Responsibility Is It?

For the past two weeks the United States has been plagued by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The lone star state of Texas was predominately impacted leaving thousands of citizens homeless, without food, and trying to maintain. Hurricane Harvey is the most impactful hurricane the United States has experienced in nearly ten years as the state and surrounding area has been flooded and destructed due to strength of this natural disaster. Making matters worst, the citizens and their families are struggling each day to try and rebuild their lives and regain some safety in the area. Homes, pets, and businesses have been left behind as they wait for the return of security and safety.

As the development of Hurricane Harvey continues there has been several issues surrounding the support of the victims in order to provide hurricane relief for Texans. The finger has been pointed in every direction

on who is and isn't supposed to be providing the bulk of the support for these tireless victims. So, who's responsibility is it to help these people regain their livelihood and recover from a natural disaster such as this one? Government? Leaders? Public Figures?

While millions of dollars have been raised in efforts to help by celebrities, athletes, and not-for-profit organizations such as the Red Cross, it seems as though one of the main focuses of us as a society is who should be contributing the most as opposed to what we've already been able to accomplish and gain thus far. Instead of being concerned about why Joel Olsteen isn't opening up his mega-church's doors, let's focus on those individuations and groups who are putting forth endless efforts to rebuild the state of Texas. It's so easy to look at the negative when everything seems to be going wrong, but a grain of faith is all we need to make a change and make a difference.

There is hope for Texas.