What Does It Take?

I recently played "Doc" in a production of West Side Story. One of my favorite lines came after I interrupted and ended an act of violence against a female character (I don’t know why I'm glossing over the fact that it is an attempted rape…oh well). Doc looks at the kids sheepishly standing around his drugstore and asks/demands, "What does it take to get through to you?!?"

That is my question today. "What does it take? What does it take to get through to you, America?"

How many lives are too many? It wasn’t 13 in 1999 (Columbine). Or 17 in 2018 (Parkland, FL). 27 children and teachers (Sandy Hook)? Nope, not enough. 32 wasn't enough (Va Tech). 49 wasn't enough (Pulse in Orlando). 58 wasn't enough (Las Vegas).

So, I assume 29 in less than 24 hours in two different cities by two different murderers will to be enough. 29 murders…How many murders are too many for us to stomach?

"What does it take to get through to you?" We've seen adults murdered. We've seen police officers picked off one by one. Church-goers. Worshippers at synagogues and mosques. College students. CHILDREN!!!

"What does it take to get through to you?"

It's not quantity. It's not quality. What does it take? What will it take?

How many are too many? How much is too much?

We can do something. We can make a difference. What will it take before the outraged out voice the defenders?

I shudder to think what is too much. I shudder to think what it might take.

What does it take to get through to you?