Erika Eichelberger: Your Home is your Abattoir.

in 2nd grade a boy kicked me in an unconscionable place.
that same year i tried to push my best friend into a wall.
in 4th grade i went to school with jonbenet ramsay, who was then abducted and murdered in her own basement
that same year, a couple of towns over, the columbine shootings occurred.
i have been hit so badly i had to lie about my bruises to other people.
i have been hit so badly i've contemplated suicide.
i have witnessed someone attempt suicide.
i have witnessed two people try to knife each other on the metrobus.
two years ago some one was shot in the head by a driver, 50 feet from where i used to live.
i have been physically assaulted by a romantic partner.
i have physically assaulted a romantic partner.
i have worked with teenagers who have experienced much, much worse.

our culture of violence doesn't start abroad with "terrorists". it starts in our homes, in our communities, in ourselves. while the nra's sway over the government is disgusting, and the recent spate of mass killings horrifying, it is not surprising given the culture we continue to nurture through our refusal to confront the true violence that happens in our personal lives, violence that grows outward in the form of fear, political intimidation, appeals to 'self-defense', and ultimately, tragedy.

please stop the madness.