Do we have the courage?

Dr. E. Faye Williams
TriceEdneyWire.com Columnist

Sometimes problems get to be overwhelming. We give up because we allow ourselves to think there’s nothing we can do.

While we want to resolve the problem, we throw it to somebody else to do something. I know how Black women used to respond to that. Lord knows I wish they were here now, but we can read about the courage of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Diane Nash, Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm and so many more who handled the “impossible things!” They put their own lives on the line, and as Forever First Lady Michelle Obama said “DO SOMETHING!”

Our children shouldn’t have to get ready to go to a school they dread because doing so they might get shot! That can’t continue to happen. Where is our courage? Do we care enough about our children to tell everyone who is against gun security that “You will no longer put our children through this. This must end!”

If you can do nothing more than form a Gun Security Club, do it. If you must have a gun and you don’t know how to secure a gun, ask someone who knows before you buy it. A man by the name of William McMurray invented a system called The American Rac can help you and he’s more than willing to do it. See www.TheAmericanRac.com for what you can do.

I am a member of the Board of Directors of The World Conference of Mayors founded by the Hon. Johnny Ford who spent 32 years as Mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama and remains a member of its City Council. The current President (former police chief) is Mayor Jimmie Gardner of Pritchard, Alabama. Together they, along with thousands of others, have taken on the issue of gun security. Recently, the WCM passed the following resolution after hearing J.D. Vance sound hopeless (or just not caring) stating that “Gun violence is a fact of life.” That was like saying there’s nothing we can do about it, but he’s wrong. If he thinks such tragedies as brutally murdering students, teachers, injuring and traumatizing many others are inevitable, we must show them it’s not! It’s absolutely disgusting!

We must find the courage to fight and end gun violence. We have a clear choice on the ballot this November: We can elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz, proven gun safety champions, or we can allow four years of inaction if Trump and Vance take back the White House.

The World Conference of Mayors passed the following resolution about something we can do that reads, “Resolved that the World Conference of Mayors urge our members to work to actively promote and support gun security in their communities, states and Federal level; as well as encourage Rep. Jerrold Nadler to resubmit his bill on the subject (HR-6596) and (SB-3407) and strongly urge their representatives at all levels to support it.”

We must stand up and show our courage to end gun violence. Parents must secure their guns. They must not purchase long guns for any reason. Parents must vote against those who work against gun security.

No child must have to go to school while fearing to go. They’re our future leaders who will make decisions about our lives when we’re incapable of doing it. If Vance, Trump and those who vote and work against sensible gun laws won’t do it, let us do it! I’m making a special appeal to women who so often have been victims of gun violence from those who claim to love us. I know because I’ve been a victim while saving others. This is a personal issue. You can do something. Vote November 5th for those whose action saves children and against those whose inaction continues these tragedies.

This article originally published in the September 16, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.