The Vilification of Mental Health
I have been debating for days about writing this piece, but have decided to do so as I cannot stomach the vilification of mental health being perpetrated by the current United States Administration. Gun deaths are a tragedy, there is no sane person who would not agree with that. However, in the polarised world of American politics and the vilification of various groups of people, mental health seems to be in the cross hairs (excuse the analogy) of blame for the recent mass shootings.
Yes, of course, mental health may well have played some hand in these senseless murders, however, in the El Paso case in particular, racial hatred seems to have been a far greater factor. Unless, of course, racial hatred is now seen as a mental disorder (if wishing made is so). The hatred of those different than themselves is at the heart of most if not all mass killings throughout history. Yet, the blame now is on mental health when the shooter is white and radicalisation when the shooter is of colour. Yes, I said it, mental health is being used as an means of excusing the behaviour of white killers. This provides a wonderful reason for people to be distracted from the arguments relating to gun control.
I am sorry that today’s post was more political than I would normally publish, but I cannot abide the notion of mental health being viewed in such a destructive way, but politicians who do not know the first thing about mental health and well being. For my readers who are ignorant of the US Constitution’s Second Amendment let me quote it for you: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. You might wonder what happened to the first 13 words of this amendment when people argue about their right to own guns. Your guess is as good as mine.
These mass shooters are not militia members, they are not protecting the free state, they are killing their neighbours plain and simple because of hate (yes perhaps there is a level of mental instability, but hate can happen perfectly well without mental imbalance). This amendment was written before there was a standing US Army or indeed police forces within the US. I cannot imagine that the founding fathers had in mind that citizens should have the absolute right to maintain weapons that would kneel their fellow countrymen and women.
Normal service will resume tomorrow, and for those who agree with these thoughts, thank you, for those who do not, I am sorry you feel that way.
