Today, a Catholic school was attacked by a 23 year old ex-student, dressed in black, and carrying 3 weapons. The children and their teachers were gathered for weekly mass in the church next door. They were celebrating the start of the new school year. Two children, 8 and 10, are dead. There are 17 wounded, 15 children and 2 teachers. The shooter apparently committed suicide.
It has left our neighborhood in disbelief. One of my neighbors is a teacher in a different Catholic school. One of the children killed was the daughter of a councilor there. She was also a student in my friend’s after school class.
This morning’s tragedy at Annunciation School has shown us what we already knew. Our society is troubled and needs healing. It’s not just guns and mental illness. We live in an abusive society. We must change from bottom to the top. We need to help one-another, those across the Twin Cities, Minnesota, U.S. and the World. It’s a big ask but necessary if we want to leave a better world to our kids.
I first used a White Poppy to represent Innocence, in an illustration on July 5th, Death of Innocents. I was thinking of how the meaning of my favorite holiday had changed. I wasn’t proud of our nation’s progress towards a more caring society. Instead I was sad. The fireworks reminded me of the violence and cruelty here and abroad.
This image is to remember those killed, wounded and scarred by the violence at Annunciation School.
Our thoughts and prayers are important. And so is our personal commitment and actions to change. Please try to be more charitable to all Americans, including yourselves.
Life is a precious experience. It doesn’t have to be like this.
Les
Update 08/29/2025
Replaced previous image with current. Still working out my feelings.
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