The Antidote

The Antidote

“I’m tired of the moments of silence… when are we going to do something?” – Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What is the antidote to gun violence in our country?  It is a question that has been asked and postulated over and over for decades.  Despite agreement from people on both sides of the political spectrum (Republicans and Democrats) that basic common-sense measures (universal background checks, limits on magazine cartridges, untraceable gun printing) are necessary, our representatives fail to act.

What gets the most media coverage are the extremes of the political agendas from banning all weapons of war to arming teachers in schools.  So, this is how we frame the debate which further divides us as a nation on edge as more shootings occur and more adults and children are killed indiscriminately.  

The solution isn’t easy, but it’s one that will need to be faced before the civil destruction of our country (not by a foreign actor) but among ourselves.  

Why won’t we act?  Fight, flight, or fear.

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

1.     Gun violence in the US has soared by 30% (US News, October 2021) during the pandemic.  We are isolating ourselves further and further which means more of us are experiencing the carnage firsthand.  This leads to more isolation, fear, and the idea that we need to be more careful, more paranoid, and more suspicious.

2.     We see the division of this issue as a political device to draw in support to further an agenda.  Same as abortion, same as immigration, same as masks, a vaccine, same as universal healthcare. 

3.     Issues like these drive fear.  If we don’t do something, it gets worse.  If we do something, we lose freedoms.  Fear drives us further apart (that’s on purpose).

4.     Because it yields political power, representatives use fear to drive further division and perpetuate conspiracy theories (on both sides) to gain 'followership' and power. 

5.     Not acting means there’s no political leverage left so solving a problem doesn’t benefit those who are running for office or those currently in office.  

6.     The people that make the decisions to act (or not) can choose not to because they hold the political power to do so.  Yes, folks.  We gave them that power.

7.     Being united on an issue emasculates the fight.  There are no winners if someone doesn’t lose.  

What can we do?  How do we combat fear?  What is the antidote?  How have we risen from fear in the past?  

Build courage in one another, not fear.  What feeds courage?  Education, knowledge, certainty, and confidence.  The more we know, learn, and practice, the more confident you and we become. Leaders build courage. They don't perpetuate fear.

Act up in your little corner of the world.  A sound carries because people hear it.  Build a drumbeat that can be heard.  Grow that sound until it cannot be ignored.

Vote.  Don’t believe the hype that people don’t vote in mid-terms.  Exercise your voice through removing people who want to perpetuate fear (both Republican and Democrat) instead of solving problems.  

Reach out with empathy.  Network with the people that you assume you have nothing in common or with those you are certain you have opposing views and understand the context of their opinions.  You’ll learn something about them and yourself. 

Don’t hide, disrupt.  Walk outside the lines and boundaries that fear drove you toward.  Run for office.  Replace those that refuse to represent you or who insist on rigging the voting system, so they don’t need your vote to make decisions.  

We didn’t get here overnight.  We can blame ‘the system’ all we want, but the reality is the antidote starts with our actions, it starts with us. 

Joe Tria, CEO & Founder Indelible Talent www.indelibletalent.com www.resumereview.me