I try so hard not to let tragedies like the one that happened at a Florida high school this week feel like just another shooting. This happens so often, it’s easy to fall into frozen despair. If child after child is killed, and still our politicians do nothing – how can we expect anything to change?

The truth is that we have to stop voting for Republicans; we have to stop voting for people who take money from the NRA. At this point, I consider them nothing less than a terrorist organization – what else would you call a group that ensures I have to have a conversation with my seven-year-old about playing dead should she be unable to run away from a shooter.

This is no way to live.

Glass half full

The kids are alright.



What I’m RTing

Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) Imagine getting on Twitter today to argue with people that nothing needs to change. Imagine using your time today to argue that your hobby is more important than 17 people who were murdered in a high school.

Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) White supremacists have used guns in 70% of domestic terror attacks and are responsible for more deaths than any domestic extremist movement in America. https://t.co/fzbpaRtyhi

kyra (@longlivekcx) A gun has killed 17 of my fellow classmates. A gun has traumatized my friends. My entire school, traumatized from this tragedy. This could have been prevented. Please stfu tomi https://t.co/qNo03ZE3Ev

Stacey E. Singleton (@staceyNYCDC) This kid has very good news gathering instincts but it’s horrible that at teenager is doing the equivalent of war zone reporting at his high school. https://t.co/kHdvcuzYph

Who I’m reading

Re-reading, as I always do when a tragedy like this happens, Rebecca Traister on the link between mass shootings and domestic violence; Barack Obama’s speech at the Sandy Hook prayer vigil; and to help clear my mind of the horror, Jamelle Bouie’s review of Black Panther.

What I’m listening to

Mona Chalabi’s new incredible podcast, Strange Bird, about the things that make us lonely. The first episode is about miscarriage and just how little we talk about them despite how often they happen.

How outraged I am

I don’t think I need to tell you, we’re all feeling it.

How I’m making it through this week

I’m leaving town. Just for a few days, and not going too far. But I think we could probably all use a little space for ourselves – to grieve, to get angry, to take a break, to take action. I realize it can sound trite in the wake of something like this, but I do believe in listening to yourself so you can go on another day.

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