Robb Elementary, Uvalde, Texas Shooting
I know in my position I'm supposed to remain apolitical and neutral when confronted with a difficult public policy issue or public debate. Gun control and the rights provided for in the Second Amendment generally fall into this bucket of "difficult" issues, and as our institution deals with private and public entities on both sides of the aisle, this neutral stance normally makes sense. Only now - it doesn't.
As the leader of 13,000+ caregivers, and as a parent and now a grandparent, I can't remain neutral on an issue nor defend a policy - or lack thereof - which refuses discussion of common-sense solutions. Viewing the carnage wrought on the most innocent of victims, I can only think of the unending pain inflicted on the families of those fourth graders and teachers this week in the small town of Uvalde, Texas.
This comes barely a week after we saw a gunman target Black shoppers at a grocery store in Buffalo - shattering and ending lives in a hate-fueled rampage.
The horrific physical violence perpetrated in these attacks doesn't bear witness to the hundreds of other victims who will suffer for years - those who saw senseless and violent death yet survived. Many will bear their untreated pain and guilt in silence for decades, and as those of you who work with the victims of violence at our own Center For Hope well know, violence can have lasting, generational impacts.
Baltimore and its youth are, of course, not immune to gun violence. Over the last six years, more than 120 children have been murdered in our city. Our advocacy against child-homicide via the Red Desk Project seeks to draw attention to and combat ALL FORMS of violence against children.
There is no one, single answer to the devastation we've all seen far too many times; Columbine, Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Mother Emmanuel AME Church, Pulse Nightclub, Tree of Life Synagogue, Tops Grocery Store, Robb Elementary and many others. Our mission at LifeBridge Health however asks us to CARE BRAVELY: to stand up, stand out and be part of the solution. As caregivers, This Is Our Lane.
If inclined, contact your legislator; let them know that you want to see concrete action and legislation to protect your children, my children, and all those we love.
Email Senator Ben Cardin
Email Senator Chris Van Hollen
Email Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger
Email Congressman John Sarbanes
Email Congressman Andy Harris
Email Congressman Anthony Brown
Email Congressman Steny Hoyer
Email Congressman Kweisi Mfume
Neil M. Meltzer
President & Chief Executive Officer
LifeBridge Health