On March 24, I joined March For Our Lives with teachers, students and parents to protest against gun violence and for the loss of life in Parkland Florida. In my efforts at prevention, I strive to empower youth’s voice since they are the ones that know what is going on in schools. True prevention relies on the power of connection, compassion and community. Thus, Empathy = Manifests itself through Connection, Compassion and Community (E=MC cubed). It brings light in dark times and this impact is not relative. That is the very topic I will be presenting at EVAWI Annual Conference in Chicago with the founder of Community Matters, Rick Phillips.
After the loss of life in a mass shooting, we experience a time of reactivity, and what we refer to as “target hardening” begins to take place. You can purchase Columbine locks for doors, bullet proof backpacks, and metal detectors potentially to feel safer. There is place for security and threat assessment. However, pro-social and emotional social learning are the best deterrents in my opinion. That way a student does not feel isolated, angry and alone, ready to strike out and hurt others in a barrage of bullets. Reporting platforms like Bridg-it and programs like Safe School Ambassadors which facilitates social emotional learning are necessary ingredients to the recipe that will make our world and schools safer. Polarization and hate only fuels violence. Most every parent wants to know, that when their child go to school that they will be safe. Finding common ground is easy, when it is based from the heart and the desire to see those we care about thrive in the pursuit of happiness. This happiness, however, is best when it is grounded in relationships of mutual respect, encouragement and support. This is the work we are doing with others across the country.
#MarchForOurLives #EVAWI2018