I wrote a Facebook post about my experience at Mount Tabor High School yesterday morning that included, “MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD BE A PRIORITY! Also, check-in with your kids because between life and hormones, a lot of them are struggling.” I ended the post by saying, “It’s Day 8…an understaffed school system, overworked employees, troubled students, tired parents. WHAT ARE WE DOING?!?”
Like many others, I am incredibly angry that TWO families won’t be able to hug their children because one is in the morgue and the other is at the Forsyth County Detention Center. I’m also grateful, like many others, that neither are my child…THIS TIME! In order to prevent it from EVER being my child, or your son or daughter, WE MUST ACT NOW!!! The students are telling us they need help, but are we listening? If I didn’t listen after what I witnessed yesterday morning, I listened to Michai’s voice as he discussed yesterday’s events. I listened as I saw scenes of the prayer circle on the corner of Petree and Peace Haven Roads. I listened every time the siren sounded to escort buses from campus.
As I type this, some students still don’t have their belongings. As I type this, I yell Michai’s name again to make sure he’s okay. As I type this, I want to know what YOU will do, the Winston-Salem community I love so dearly…what will YOU do to make sure no other family has to feel the terror and pain the families felt yesterday, three days ago at New Hanover, the school shooting before that, and the many before that one.
What will you do? ARE WE TIRED YET???