In her post about the van attack in Toronto, Linda Hill wrote about the horror of desensitization. Her thoughts added to my ongoing sense that each new report of mass violence seems to lead to more of the same. Does each new report make these tragedies seem closer to normal? Hopefully not, because this is NOT normal! It might help if we give the killers as less attention. Yes, we need to ask questions to understand the motives and to try to prevent the killings. But we should do it in a way that never glamorizes the killers. I’ll never forget the sick feeling I got when a morning news program showed us two photos of the Columbine killers. Someone decided it would be a cool effect to slowly enlarge the photos while tilting them like glam shots.
What if we didn’t show the faces of the killers at all? Don’t give any hint of false glory. Don’t make them look important to the confused. What if we just showed a blank face and barely mentioned their name?
Shooter X
We need to honor the victims, focus on the heroes, and hold up the helpers.
Like this article focuses the helpers in Toronto:
If more bad news brings more bad news, could more good news bring more good news?
It’s like Mr. Rogers said: “If you look for the helpers, you’ll know that there’s hope.”
Speaking of helpers and heroes, I ended up watching the movie Hacksaw Ridge with my high school girlfriends during our reunion weekend. The movie is about Desmond Doss a medic in WW2 who was also the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor. You’d think we would have watched a romantic comedy, but when Hacksaw came up in Sally’s movie channels, Terry said it was a good movie. I said I wouldn’t mind watching it. Hacksaw Ridge was an excellent and inspiring film but horribly graphic in its realistic depiction of what war can do to human bodies. It didn’t help my stomach which was already upset for some mysterious reason. Still, I’m glad I watched it.
After the movie we needed to watch a little comedy, including reruns of The Big Bang Theory, because sometimes you need something light.
Heroes are everywhere! You just have to be on the lookout.
Anything is Possible! 
May 3, 2018 at 10:01 am
Yes yes! I read that article about looking for the heroes and helpers because we are them! And sometimes we are the ones receiving the help! Angels everywhere 😇
Fred Rogers influenced me growing up and then that decade I spent in Pittsburgh….
🤗🙂 okay it’s back to Work 🙂⭐️💜
I’ll return gladly for vids when I am free.
May 3, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Thank you, Ka. ❤ You make a good point that we are the heroes and we are helped by the heroes – ordinary people doing good work. Yes, angels are everywhere! 🙂
May 3, 2018 at 11:53 am
Of cours
On Thu, May 3, 2018, 6:18 PM Anything is Possible! wrote:
> JoAnna posted: “In her post about the van attack in Toronto, Linda Hill > wrote about the horror of desensitization. Her thoughts added to my ongoing > sense that each new report of mass violence seems to lead to more of the > same. Does each new report make these tragedies se” >
May 3, 2018 at 3:24 pm
Thank you for supporting this!
May 3, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Helpers don’t make the news because that’s boring stuff. Helpers are everywhere, bridging the gaps that divide us. That’s why I still hold onto hope for our species.
May 3, 2018 at 3:27 pm
I’m very thankful for your hope, Rosaliene. I love your words about helpers everywhere bridging the gaps that divide us. May I quote you? 🙂 I’ve heard that about good news being boring. It’s not boring to me. There seem to be more good news networks popping up, so I’m hoping the mainstream will get the hint and give us some balance.
May 3, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I love that that article didn’t once mention the name of the driver. Thanks for sharing it, JoAnna. It’s good to remember there’s often light to be found in the very darkest of moments.
May 3, 2018 at 4:08 pm
I loved that about it, too. Glad to share the light.
May 3, 2018 at 9:33 pm
I went to see “Hacksaw Ridge” at the movies since the actor was in the movie, “Silent” or “Silence.” It was also very difficult to watch as a Christian made the choice to allow others to suffer rather than just giving in. It was like Jesus, but I’m not sure I liked the true story. The war hero, who stuck up for his anti- guns and anti- violence beliefs, saved hundreds! It was quite uplifting but my pacifist friend felt the movie could have shown the message and given us the horrors but not so much time spent on this. Thanks for your liking my posts today! Take care and bless you! So happy you had a friends get together. ❤️
May 3, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I guess the film makers wanted a lot of action and realism, but I could have done without some of the battle scenes and body parts. I was moved by him repeatedly asking God to help him save, “just one more,” and the actual saving he did.
May 3, 2018 at 9:34 pm
I loved Mister Rogers, especially how his voice and soul were so warm and calm like a peaceful visit with a friend. 💙💦
May 3, 2018 at 9:47 pm
I thought myself a little to old for him as a child, but enjoyed watching him with my kids and appreciate him much more now and often find myself singing the neighborhood song. Looking forward to the movie about him starring Tom Hanks. Have a beautiful day! ❤
May 4, 2018 at 2:59 pm
I agree that we should focus on the victims and the helpers, JoAnna. The perpetrators need no attention, though I think we need to be aware as a society of the impact of bullying and social isolation and take measures to address them before young men turn into killers. And thanks for the The Big Bang clip. So funny. 🙂
May 4, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Thanks for pointing out the importance of looking at bullying and isolation. It’s crucial for us to explore ways to address those challenges and help people learn and use coping skills. Glad you liked the Big Bang clip. 🙂
May 4, 2018 at 10:26 pm
I think that’s the real solution (in addition to gun control). To give all kids support, hope, feelings of value, friendship and belonging. It would be so worth it to our society. 🙂