Inaction is failure

Once again violence shatters us; another school shooting. This time is different: the young people of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School responded courageously and immediately. “There is always the need to carry on,’, Ms. Stoneman Douglas said, so the students of Stoneman Douglas do.

They’ve created “Never Again,” a national campaign against school violence, primarily gun control. They remind us they are here, present, they matter, they are children, they want to be safe, they will take positive action. They are our guiding lights for hope, for change.

In the pain, anger, loss, confusion and fear there is friendship, love, compassion, passion and community building. The call and challenge to the rest of us to get off the sidelines, transcend all barriers, explore deeply our divides, have the difficult conversations and work together. Let’s journey with our children.

Ms. Stoneman Douglas also said, “Child welfare ought really to cover all sorts of topics, such as better water and sanitation and good roads, and clean streets and public parks and playgrounds.”

One of the riskiest conversations is child welfare for all, including children and young adults like Nikolas Cruz.

Mistakes were made, we are human. Not to deal with them is failure.

Elaine Tyrie

Spokane