we need to talk about...

"people die all the time"
Whilst factually true, this wasn't the empathtic response I was hoping for. I know people are always dying or being killed, so why have the news stories that have dominated this week hit me so hard?
It is horrific when people are killed in accidents. It is horrific when people are killed because someone is making a point and commits an act of terror. And this week I have found it horrific that people have been singled out and murdered because of their identity.
And of course, it can feel harder when we can relate to the person killed. Jo Cox was a similar age to me, mother, active campaigner for justice for Syrian refugees and many oppressed by poverty. She believed in love conquering hate, and I was deeply moved by the statement issued by her husband yesterday that shows that same vision. She was making a difference.
I want to be a harbinger of hope, I don't want to peddle fear - it is the fear that escalates and end up with being being killed. And I am today aware that I feel felled. I don't want to let the fear challenge my sense of safety. I want for people to go to nightclubs and have fun, not worry about who else is there. I am incredulous that someone can be killed outside a library in Yorkshire in the middle of the day. I will have to work hard to ensure my shock doesn't turn to fear. It was heartening to watch politicians with differing perspectives sing from the same hymn sheet yesterday and speak of love and passion for serving their communities and the need to be accessible to everyone and not let fear win. We need to talk about love. All the time.
A few times this week I've heard about the parents of those committing atrocities. The father of a rapist belittling his son's crime; the shock of parents whose sons have taken other people's lives. It reminds me of the book "We need to talk about Kevin", a powerful novel written from a mother's perspective after her son commits mass murder. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in that situation. And today I don't want to. Today I need to talk about love.

38 degrees are fab at activism and have suggested some ace things that can be done today.I got to send my MP some love. Great plan.