Losing a Former Student to Gun Violence

Yesterday morning, a former student of mine was murdered.  

He was found in his car with multiple gunshot wounds.

He was only 25.

He had just completed his first year of teaching middle school and will not experience his first summer off as a teacher.  

He is Baton Rouge’s forty-second murder victim this year and will never see his forty-second year.

Because he’s now a statistic, a victim of gun violence.

http://www.wbrz.com/news/family-members-identify-man-killed-in-mulberry-street-shooting/

I am angry. I am grappling for words. I am horrified.

But I’m not trying to make this post about me.  

This post is about you.

You who allow gun violence to continue because your emotions about guns override fact and logic.  

You who allow gun violence to continue because the gun lobby lines your pocket.  

You who allow gun violence to continue while mass shootings are commonplace.

You who allow gun violence to continue because you’re entitled.  

Hey, you, when is enough enough?  

R.I.P Brent Batiste. You were smart, sweet, and kind. And a joy to teach.