The View from Section 10: Joy Turns to Sorrow

Twenty-four hours ago, I watched the end of the rally at Kansas City’s Union Station that celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs come-from-behind victory in the Super Bowl. In case you happen to be one of the handful who did not watch that game this past Sunday, the victory was the Chiefs’ second championship in as many years. And the Super Bowl telecast was the most watched television program ever in the U.S.—or, at least since the moon landing in 1969.

Yesterday was a glorious, sun-splashed day in Kansas City—a day filled with joy and excitement and appreciation for what this NFL franchise has achieved.

In a matter of seconds, that joy turned into tragedy. Three men with firearms of various types opened fire near the Union Station parking garage in what has been called a “dispute” by the Kansas City, MO Police Department. That “dispute” has killed one and injured 22 more. (Of those 22 victims, at least half are under the age of 16.)

When I learned about this shooting, I immediately turned the TV back on and watched in horror at the aftermath. Fans running; children being comforted; police taking positions around the perimeter, including on the roof of the nearby Westin Crown Center Hotel; a local network affiliate mistakenly replaying the shooting video without acknowledging that this was taped content (and thus causing new panic); and on and on.

It's been 24 hours since and I still have difficulty in coalescing my thoughts and feelings into a cogent response to the question I’ve received from many--“how are you doing?”

With that as caveat, here is how I think I’m doing in as organized a fashion as I can provide.

Children

My daughter, son-in-law, and two oldest grandchildren attended the Chiefs’ celebration parade yesterday. Thankfully, they chose to not attend the rally. Yet, they were within a mile of being in harm’s way, and the shock and impact of what they did experience, through proximity and its aftermath, are hard if not impossible to measure.

My granddaughter is now having dinner table conversation with her parents about guns and gun violence. My grandson is shocked that the event happened at his beloved Union Station—the place where he goes for Science City and Bricktionary (LEGO.)

How does one even begin to understand how best to talk to these children about this event? How do we talk to kids without instilling a fear so deep that they never want to leave their home? Keep in mind that our children and grandchildren participate in active shooter drills at their schools on a regular basis. They now have been impacted by an active shooter situation at one of their favorite destinations in our city--at an event meant to celebrate their favorite team and their heroes named Kelce and Mahomes and Pacheco and Jones.

Elected Officials

I am angry. And my anger is with elected officials and those in power who CAN do something about reducing gun violence in our country.

This is not going to turn into a screed about taking away guns. Rather, my ire is that we have people in positions of power who turn a blind eye to the violence and the reality that guns are the number one cause of child deaths in the U.S. Let me say that again—guns cause more deaths among children in our country than anything else. (Source: Forbes, October 2023)

That fact, alone, makes Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s actions reprehensible. Yes, there are many, many others who carry blame for the prevalence of guns in our society but let’s focus on Parson given his proximity to the Valentine’s Day tragedy at Union Station.

Parson was in attendance at the rally, Parson spoke (and was booed) at the rally, and Parson ran when gunfire erupted at the rally. Yet, in his press briefing of today, the governor used words and phrases, which blamed “criminals and thugs.” He went on to say “…thugs out there, just killing people at an incident like that and attempting to kill all those people and created such chaos that people got hurt, being trampled. I hope that prosecutors and judges and everybody understands how serious this is.”

Not once did Parson use the word “gun;” not once did he acknowledge that there were three people in custody, all of whom had firearms. He did not acknowledge a rapid-fire weapon taken from one of the three in custody. And, for those keeping score at home, Parson’s state of Missouri ranks 38^th in terms of gun law strength due to the legislation he has championed. (Source: Everytown for Gun Safety)

Shame on you, Mike Parson—shame on you.

Kansas City…and violence

I am upset with myself because when mass shootings have happened elsewhere, I have defaulted to a belief that it’s unlikely to happen here—“here” being Kansas City. This city—so caring, so conscientious, so…nice.

Yet, the signs have been there and I’ve turned my own blind eye to them.

Kansas City, MO police data shows that there were 182 killings in 2023, 12 more than in 2022 and three more than the all-time high of 179 in 2020. Mayor Quinton Lucas posted last month on X, formerly known as Twitter, that some crime trends “have gone in the right direction, as nonfatal shootings are down this year compared to last, while others, like homicides, have reached new highs. We are working collaboratively to build a safer city in 2024.”

The well-known Country Club Plaza shopping district in Kansas City has struggled with youth violence in recent years. And, Kansas City’s Westport area – full of restaurant and night life options – has similarly had challenges related to late night incidents and how best to make the area safe and secure.

In sum, guns and violence are not new to Kansas City. It’s not a problem being ignored by the mayor’s office or the Kansas City, MO Police Department. Yet, it’s not a problem that is getting better, based on the data.

Kansas City…and its reputation

Yesterday, Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said, “This is an incredible moment for Kansas City. All over the world, they know about this amazing place. Never in our history have we had so many eyes on Kansas City, and so many people talking about this town.”

Those words, so true in the context in which they were delivered, were spoken literally minutes before gunfire erupted. The bullets and resulting carnage dramatically changed the meaning and context of Hunt’s remarks.

I am proud of my city. This city, and this region, have been on a roll since we exited the worst of the pandemic—the announcement that we are a host city for World Cup 2026; that the Conference of Mayors will be here this year; that our brand spanking new airport is a hit; that our current street car is expanding south on Main; and that our World Champion Chiefs are now looking to be the first NFL team ever to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.

That momentum has been altered and I think I speak for other Kansas Citians in acknowledging the resulting frustration. The senseless acts of three have shifted the destiny of this city. Will that shift be permanent? Or will we pick ourselves up and carry on in order to get back on the path to greatness?

I believe that there is such a thing as “Kansas City Strong.” The heart with “KC” in the middle is the brand identity of our metropolitan area. We live in the heart of America; we are the heart of America. The heart is a fitting symbol for who we are.

Yet, it would be mistake and a disservice to those impacted yesterday to pick up and move on without the Union Station tragedy becoming the impetus for real change.

With that as challenge, I provide the following organizations to consider—for involvement, for donations, for support.

I also provide the following information for those who believe, like me, that it’s way past time to personally reach out to elected officials in order to say “Stop the Fucking Madness.”

Yes, I used the “F” word because it is fucking madness. This. Has. Got. To. Stop. The lives of our children and grandchildren are at stake. Is there anything more important than that!?

Get involved. Do something. Please…

#KCStrong

Organizations:

https://www.bradyunited.org

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org

https://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-injury/preventing-violence-advocacy

Elected officials (partial list):

Governor Mike Parson – Missouri

https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us

Governor Laura Kelly – Kansas

https://governor.kansas.gov/contact/

Senator Josh Hawley – Missouri