America was once a symbol of hope—a place where people from all over the world could come to build a new life, find opportunity, and achieve the great American dream. But in the face of growing violence, that dream feels like it’s fading. It’s a painful reality, and it leaves many of us wondering: what happened to the safe space we once called home?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant reports of tragedy. The sheer number of murders in the last month is shocking, yet only a handful seem to get the media’s attention. Even then, those few are often politicized, turning human tragedy into talking points. The numbers speak for themselves: roughly 50 murders occur every day in the U.S., and this year alone, we’ve had 47 school shootings, resulting in eight deaths and nearly 90 injuries. These aren’t just statistics; they’re our neighbors, our children, our friends.
We, as a society, need to stop accepting this as the new normal. We can’t let the media’s sensationalism or the political noise dictate our response. It’s time to take a stand, not just against violence, but against the forces that seek to divide and silence us. The free exchange of ideas is what made this country great, but now it feels like censorship is becoming the new norm.
It’s time to move beyond the outrage and start demanding real change. Our leaders need to hear our voices, not just the ones filtered through the media. We have a responsibility to each other to foster a society based on empathy, understanding, and open dialogue. It’s the only way to heal the divides and reclaim the “American Dream” for future generations.
I named this blog While I Breathe from the South Carolina State motto, “While I Breathe, I Hope.” But, hope is not enough. We must also demand, insist, require and, of course, pray.
WHILE I BREATHE 