by Wendy Doromal ©February 2019
About a year ago, on February 14,2018, 17 innocent students and staff members lost their lives in a senseless and tragic shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Out of that shooting came a gun control conversation and movement that has forced us to look at measures to keep our schools safe and secure. The leaders of the movement are the teenage survivors who refuse to be silenced. Their message? Stop putting Band-Aids on the problem.
It will take serious reform to stop gun violence. Assault weapons are weapons of war and do not belong in the hands of civilians. Strict background checks must be enforced. Voters need to consider voting out the candidates who take funding from the NRA and turn a blind eye to much needed gun reform. Teachers and other school personnel should only be armed with the tools and resources to advance learning. They should not be armed with guns.
On March 24, 2018, hundreds of OCCTA members attended the march against gun violence in Orlando that was led by UCF students. I joined OCCTA members, and hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for an end to gun violence at the March for Our Lives demonstration in Washington, DC. As I listened to the words of students Emma Gonzalez, Cameron Gasky, and David Hogg, I was taken back to another time when youth demanded an end to violence and the Viet Nam War. Not since then can I remember seeing such a well-organized grass roots political force that was led by youth. It gives me hope. When students are conducting the lessons, teachers know that they have succeeded. When students are leading a movement, we know our future is promising.
Last year we saw some legislation regarding school safety and gun laws, including the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Bill, S.B. 7026. It seems lawmakers are focused on turning Florida’s schools into fortresses rather than addressing the root of the problem by enacting stricter gun control laws.
Last week in the U.S. House, H.B. 8 was discussed at a judiciary hearing. This bill would strengthen backgrounds checks and regulate the transfer and sale of guns. On the other hand, a proposed Florida Senate bill, SPB 3070, also introduced last week, would expand the controversial program to arm school personnel. It contains a provision to arm teachers. (Yes, it’s back.) It also calls for hiring security guards from private companies and linking districts’ safety initiatives and adherence to policies to the state’s school grades.
Will children ever be safe in schools if we do not address the problem? Probably not. The United States leads the world in gun ownership, gun deaths and number of mass shootings.(Link here) We can turn our schools into fortresses, but then we have to ask, “Will our children be safe in malls, movie theaters, parks or walking home from school as long as we fail to enact stricter gun regulations?”
Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco sent a message to the Florida’s local Presidents to share with their members as we mark this anniversary:
Dear FEA colleagues,
This isn’t going to be easy for us. February 14th will mark the one-year anniversary of the day that our lives changed forever. On this day, after the shock and horror, we began grieving for our students and colleagues who lost their lives in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
I like to think that our 17 fallen Eagles started their day with hope and with love … that they felt surrounded by the love of their families and friends. I feel strongly that it is our duty to honor them and to keep their hope and love alive. Next Thursday will be a very difficult day for our families and our community. Many of you have asked how you can best show your support for our community. Please join BTU in honoring their lives with simple acts of kindness on that day.
Here are three things you and your members can do:
1) Commit some of your time to community service. That could mean that, after school, you and your friends head over to your community’s food bank or visit a local charity and donate time in honor of MSD.
2) Show your support on social media by changing your profile picture to the graphic in this newsletter. (Link is here)
3) Show your solidarity with those affected by the tragedy by writing #MSDStrong on a sheet of paper, taking a selfie with it and posting it to social media. To go along with your post, write a message letting the Parkland families know you will never forget.
Whatever you do, thank you. Small acts of kindness mean so much in times like these. Knowing our union family supports us is an incredible power that sustains us even in the most difficult times.
In Unity,
Anna Fusco President, Broward Teachers Union
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At today’s AR Council meeting, ARs will receive burgundy and silver ribbons, which represent Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School’s school colors. Every OCCTA member can wear burgundy and silver on February 14th to stand in solidarity with MSD, Parkland and the Broward Teachers Union. I also encourage members to engage in community service, as Anna requested. As a former service learning and social justice teacher, I know that giving to members of the community is a beautiful way to honor those who are no longer with us.
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