The Energy of the Baby Boomers Has Been Resurrected

The massacre that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida energized the ghosts of the baby boomers—they are now resurrected. Activists of the Never Again Movement have crossed the Rubicon armed with computers, telephones and social media to respond to the crisis—there is no turning back. Once you have found your truth, your spirit will not let you backslide.

The journey back to sanity where insanity invaded the sacred space of learning was violated and youth are angry, seeking out resolution. They have created the Never Again Movement—reformist in nature with a character of its own, but its potential power can make an impact that will become a part of American history. The victor may well be he/she who can control the narrative, convince the media that their truth prevails, then buy or solicit media time—a very costly endeavor. Raucous voices can be heard across América as the next generation of leaders has organized—vowing to create change regarding gun control legislation—something politicians refuse to address. These movers and shakers have nothing to lose except their own lives. They are emerging leaders unfamiliar with the shibboleths of the political system where the angry tide of the current polluted political waters has become a tidal wave inviting these leaders to swim with the sharks. Reshaping the narrative of the National Rifle Association will be an awesome task—dealing with power mongers when money is involved is like turning the social pyramid upside down.

Masses of people are assembling at their local state capitols shouting invectives at their legislators. Rallies full of wounded spirits are grieving the losses of their loved ones and communities are living in fear. Most of the legislative leadership remain embedded either behind a Constitution or afraid of sacrificing their political positions by speaking out. The NRA is steadfastly holding onto its strict interpretation of Amendment two, which reads, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of the State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The NRA might want to revisit The Declaration of Independence, part of which reads, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed….But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursing invariably the same objective evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guard for their future security.” Yes, a social revolution reminiscent of the 1960’s is in the making.

The millions of dollars that the NRA has stuffed into legislator’s pockets seemingly have professional politicians in a secure position, although many see themselves on shaky ground. After all, money can buy anything. Senator Marco Rubio, who has at least an A- rating with the NRA—seems to fit nicely into this ilk. However, he ran into some to poignant questions in front of national cameras clamping up when one of the organizers asked him if he would return donated funds back to the NRA. He stuttered around arguing that this was the wrong question to ask and that the NRA was giving him bucks because they believed in his agenda. Selling your soul to the devil is pretty typical of modern day politics. Rubio’s agenda is safeguarding the right to bear arms—with a spillover effect that keeps marginal profits healthy. He was booed by many who are preparing to register to vote in the next primary, if not then, at least in the 2020 presidential elections.

Where is the leadership? President Donald Trump who chooses to again scapegoat the mentally ill for this appalling bloodbath really has no leg to stand on. Why not select them as the bad people, they have no power; many sitting in mental institutions or jails suffering from schizophrenic delusions of grandeur, spilt personalities, full of paranoid ideation and other malignant forms of mental instability. In a previous column I wrote, I quoted several national psychiatrists and psychologists that see Trump swimming in the same delusional states similar to the mentally ill. They think he is bonkers.

Trump in his usual temper tantrum and equivocal nature is in favor of arming at least some teachers, possibly banning bump fire stocks, raising the age to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21 and overhauling the background check system. However, his narrative was aimed at the general public wherein 61% favor gun control legislation. This will unequivocally change when he is in front of the podium and his 33% base voters. Trump’s contradictory statements are really a mantra for the upcoming legislative battle over DACA and immigration. His scapegoat on this one is the MS 13 gangs. He is neatly stitching a quilt regarding violence, arms and immigration. He forgot to read his history that indicts the US government and the role it played in El Salvador under the guise of protecting Latin American countries from the communist boogey man. In his tirade, he is really attempting to symbolically annihilate immigrants through his fake news and verbal rampage.

The echo of youth voices have turned grief into action, but they will soon have to return to the melancholia associated with the loss of 17 students who will be memorialized—a tragedy that is becoming normalized. Suppressing grief is a recipe for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Activism can be a healing substance but patching up wounded spirits needs intervention. Have open arms for those young warriors when they return and thank them for having the courage to practice true democracy.

Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an Independent Journalist. © 2-25-2018 Ramón Del Castillo.

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