After another mass shooting, many Americans feel their efforts to stop this madness are futile. Nothing seems to ever change. Another white man kills many people and we are still encouraged to hate brown people. I refuse to hate anyone. I don’t care what color their skin is.
I will mourn today, but I will also go to work and help to put out a newspaper. I will do my part to continue to inform readers. I will think about Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, and Rebecca Smith, and how their lives were cut short because of someone else’s anger. And we will all continue to put out our newspapers.
Capital Gazette reporter Selene San Felice’s interview was raw, hones, and truthful. Listen to her voice. Listen to the entire interview.
Capital Gazette reporter Selene San Felice emotionally recounts the shooting at the paper and tells CNN, "I'm going to need more than a couple days of news coverage and some thoughts and prayers." pic.twitter.com/BQWABJQnZo
— Mashable News (@MashableNews) June 29, 2018
“I’m going to need more than a couple days of news coverage and some thoughts and prayers.”
In that same video, staff writer Phil Davis spoke. For me, his poignant comment will stay with me.
If we’re in a position in society where all we can offer is prayers, then where are we? Where are we as a society where people die and that’s the end of that story.
Here is a selection of reactions I read this morning as I got up to get ready for my day. Selene is right. Thoughts and prayers are bullshit and do nothing. Do as I am. Get off your ass and write your senators and congressmen. Talk about this. Find ways to change. Find ways to make your community better.
Reuters has a wonderful article about the lives of the five – Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, and Rebecca Smith – who were killed. Read it.
Yes, we’re putting out a damn paper tomorrow. https://t.co/ScNvIK1A4R
— Capital Gazette (@capgaznews) June 29, 2018
And they did put out a damn newspaper today.
— Capital Gazette (@capgaznews) June 29, 2018
The editorial page is also perfect.
Tomorrow this Capital page will return to its steady purpose of offering readers informed opinion about the world around them. But today, we are speechless.
Tomorrow this Capital page will return to its steady purpose of offering readers informed opinion about the world around them. But today, we are speechless. pic.twitter.com/5HzKN2IW7Q
— Capital Gazette (@capgaznews) June 29, 2018
Yes. Put out that paper. Mourn every minute but do your jobs because that’s what it means to report and publish. What you do is so very important; now more so than ever. My condolences for the loss of your colleagues.
— Redlogs ??? (@sdgolder) June 29, 2018
Even us cynical, hardened, long-retired reporters are shedding tears right now. We’re all with you.
— Stacy Kess (@StacyMKess) June 29, 2018
Rest in peace now; others will pick up your pens and carry on the pursuit of truth.
— Melva Mud ⏳ (@Melva_Mud) June 29, 2018