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Sadness, anger, helplessness... [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-12-12
If you live in Texas, as I do, and have a mind and heart, you no doubt feel these emotions simultaneously more often than you should. I certainly do. Today is one of those days.
As I write this I am holding back from bursting into tears. Not at the recent Texass (not a typo) Supreme Court decision being reported this morning, though it does infuriate me. My current emotional trifecta is due to something my six year-old son (1st grader) said at bedtime last night, and how he said it. He comes up to me, sits on my lap, and with excitement in his eyes and a giggle, tells me that they are going to play a game at school called “lockdown” where they have to hide and be very quiet.
My heart sank, hard and fast. I looked at my wife. She was crying.
This past Sunday’s weekly newsletter from the school’s principal included a note about a lockdown drill occurring this week. It also stated that teachers would discuss the drill with students at an “age-appropriate level.”
I am sad that this has to happen in, not just my son’s school, but ANY school. It also sucks that a game scenario is how they are choosing to discuss this with 1st graders. I am angry that Texas Republicans are not only doing nothing to address the larger issue, but they are ACTIVELY CREATING POLICY TO MAKE IT WORSE AND COVERING UP THEIR FAILURES. I feel helpless because there is nothing I can do to affect change fast enough or at all.
“Get involved! GOTV!,” you say. I vote. Every election. I have contributed time and money to democratic campaigns – local, state, and national. By the way, in the recent local elections (Houston mayor, city council positions) just 17% of registered voters turned out.
“Move out of Texas,” you say. I’d love to, can’t get out fast enough. Got a job for me?
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