When Another School Shooting is Another Domestic Violence Shooting

Here, I take look at the domestic violence shooting at North Park Elementary in San Bernardino that took the life of a teacher, Karen Elaine Smith, and one of her students, Jonathan Martinez.

 

“School shootings and domestic violence shootings are two separate, complex problems—even when they become intertwined, as they have today. Crucial in the development of this tragedy is that the victim, Karen Elaine Smith, had recently left her abuser—the most dangerous time and circumstance for a battered woman. In our righteous grief and anger because this shooting took place at a school and included child victims, we must not forget the women like Ms. Smith who need us to address this story as a domestic violence issue.”

 

Read this in its entirety at the online magazine, The Gloria Sirens:

 

Why Won’t She Leave Him?

Don’t tell her what to do; talk to her and listen. Offer your help, but understand that to leave or not to leave is her decision. Respect it. And tell her you respect her.
Acknowledge the pain and turmoil she is in, most especially the emotional turmoil. If she doesn’t leave him, don’t give up on her leaving him. Give her love, respect, support, and time. It’s going to take all of that.

His Apple Pie

Gloria Siren Lisa Lanser Rose wrote this dog story, “flash nonfiction” that appears in this month’s Word Riot. It is powerful and understated. You can read it or hear Lisa read it.

My Psycho Valentine

If you’re already grateful for your Valentine, you’ll be much more grateful after you read what happened to my friend Julia Connolly on the night before Valentine’s Day, 1974.  Feel free to share, repost, reblog, and print out and mail to your daughter/niece/granddaughter.