Gun Violence and Discussion Resources

May 26th, 2022 - 6:05pm

Community, Featured, From The President's Desk

Dear College of Marin Community,

Today is the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at a Valley Transit Authority yard in San Jose. This week, the number of mass shootings in the United States totaled over 200—all as the result of senseless gun violence—and often as a result of hatred, prejudice, anti-Semitism, homophobia, racism, white supremacy, or mental illness. It’s important to note that the rate this disturbing trend occurs isn’t found anywhere else in the world.

We continue to mourn the loss of 13 individuals who were gunned down in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. Those shootings were determined to be racially motivated. This week we mourn the loss of 19 school children and two teachers who were gunned down at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Just horrific.

At this point in time words aren’t enough. Thoughts aren’t enough. Prayers aren’t enough. And moments of silence are certainly not enough, no matter how heartfelt.

To honor those lost at the hands of gun violence, I encourage us to discuss this within our College community and with our family members. I encourage each of us to demand action and change. Now, more than ever, let’s love on our loved ones and remember there is still good in the world; we are surrounded by it on our campuses.

Resources for Discussion

How to Cope With Traumatic Events (The Jed Foundation)

Anxiety Over School Shootings (Child Mind Institute) Spanish Link

Helping Students Cope With A Violent World (Edutopia)

Understanding Trauma Informed Care (cccstudentmentalhealth.org)

Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence (Childmind.org)

Responding to School Violence: Tips for Administrators (National Association of School Psychologists)

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)

How to Talk To Kids About School Shootings (Common Sense Media)

Respectfully,
David

David Wain Coon, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President

Estimada Comunidad de College of Marin:

Hoy es el primer aniversario del tiroteo masivo en el patio de la Autoridad de Tránsito en San José. Esta semana, el número de tiroteos masivos en los Estados Unidos llegó a más de 200—todo a consecuencia de violencia armada sin sentido—y muchas veces como consecuencia del odio, los prejuicios, el antisemitismo, la homofobia, el racismo, la supremacía blanca o las enfermedades mentales. Es importante señalar que el índice de esta inquietante tendencia no se halla en ninguna otra parte del mundo.

Seguimos en duelo por la pérdida de los 13 individuos que fueron acribillados en un supermercado en Buffalo, New York. Se determinó que esos tiroteos fueron motivados por racismo. Esta semana lloramos la pérdida de 19 niños escolares y dos maestras que fueron acribillados en la escuela Robb Elementary, en Uvalde, Texas. Espantoso.

A esta altura las palabras no son suficiente. Los pensamientos no alcanzan. Tampoco las oraciones. Y los momento de silencio no son suficiente, por más que se hagan con sinceridad.

Para honrar a los que perdimos en manos de la violencia armada, les animo a que dialoguemos sobre esto en nuestra comunidad del Colegio y con nuestros familiares. Les animo a que cada uno de nosotros exija acción y cambios. Ahora, más que nunca, amemos a nuestros seres queridos y recordemos que en este mundo todavía existe lo bueno; estamos rodeados de ello en nuestros campus.