Seeing Beyond The Pain

HAVI Statement on the Impact of Recent Violence

In the aftermath of one of the worst school massacres in American history—which resulted in the heartbreaking deaths of 19 elementary school children and two adults—we find ourselves once again reeling from the trauma that reverberates throughout the nation each time the news breaks of another incident of mass violence. We learned of this latest tragedy while still struggling to process yet another shooting that took 10 lives in Buffalo, NY—grocery store workers and Black elders who were simply shopping for groceries when they were shot by a young person indoctrinated with white supremacist ideology.

As Americans, we have been forced to repeatedly cope with the uniquely American anguish that accompanies these all-too-frequent incidents of violence. For many communities—particularly communities of color—this pain compounds the trauma inflicted by violence that rarely makes the headlines but plays out every single day in neighborhoods across the country. Each life taken is a heartbreaking reminder that the violence in this country is rooted in white supremacy and systemic racism.

This near-constant and far too often normalized violence we are forced to reckon with impacts us all. As a network that works to heal communities impacted by violence, it is critical that we also take time for ourselves to process and reflect on these events. When we find ourselves in a place of despair and grief, we must remember the righteousness of our work. We must remember that we are part of a larger movement working to heal a deeply traumatized nation, and our work is having a positive impact.

HAVI staff have been in touch with many members and will continue to create space for dialogue about these ongoing tragedies.