Wear Orange Weekend is June 2-4, and is a time set aside to advocate to end gun violence and to honor survivors.
My oldest is going to elementary school in the fall. That means freshly sharpened pencils. Feeling like a big kid. Learning to read. Having recess. But it also means fear. Lockdowns. The reality that elementary school is a place where someone can come with a gun and take my child from me forever. It’s so unbelievably scary that I can’t let myself think about it too much or I want to curl into a ball of helplessness and frozen terror.
My particular brand of anxiety has always found solace in doing and feeling in control. So recently I got back involved with a group called Moms Demand Action, which advocates for an end to gun violence. One of their biggest yearly events is coming up in June, and it is Wear Orange Weekend.
“On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, Hadiya was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s friends commemorated her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. Wear Orange is now observed every June. Thousands of people wear the color orange to honor Hadiya and the more than 40,000 people who are killed with guns and approximately 85,000 who are shot and wounded every year.”- wearorange.org
I know many moms like me are feeling helpless, angry, terrified that our families or children might be next. Participating in an event like wear orange can be empowering. We don’t have to sit on the sidelines and wait for the next shooting. We can get involved and take back some power.
What can you do?
Wear Orange
Simply wear an orange shirt in solidarity with those who have been impacted by gun violence. Share a photo of you on social media if you are so inclined, with the hashtag #WearOrange.
Find a Local Event
Enter your zip code here to find an event near you to attend and show your support. Up in my neck of the woods {the Woodlands, pun intended} you can visit the Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market from 9am-1pm on Saturday June 3rd and wear orange to show support, or sign up to give blood at the blood drive.
Talk to Your Kids
Whether or not you want to face it, if your kids go to school, or basically these days leave their house, they risk encountering gun violence. They see the news, they hear our conversations. The unknown only breeds more fear, so talk with them. Tell them what is important to you. Share your story. Here are some tips for how to start the conversation, and what is appropriate for different developmental age ranges.
Join an Advocacy Group
Moms Demand Action is just one group you can join. Started by a mom after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, it has grown into a national organization with several chapters in the Houston area. It is also part of the Everytown for Gun Safety Organization, which is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country.
Check In on Those You Know Impacted by Gun Violence
If you have a loved one who you know has lost someone to gun violence or has been impacted by it, check in on them. While Wear Orange Weekend creates much needed awareness, it can also be triggering for those who have had this experience. Listen to them, allow them to talk, or not to talk. Be present and see them in the midst of their loss or trauma.
Donate
If you don’t have time to get involved, financially support an organization that is working to prevent gun violence. You can donate to Moms Demand Action here.
Safely Store Your Firearms
It’s Texas y’all, we know a lot of families may have firearms in their homes. But did you know that firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S.? Safely storing firearms in your home can have a great impact on preventing gun violence, injuries, and deaths. Best practices include storing firearms unloaded, locked, and ideally separate from ammunition when not in use. Visit https://besmartforkids.org/ to learn more.
