The 33 people dead as a result of a shooting rampage in Virginia is indeed a terrible event. These things should never happen, and they are sad days when they do.

Similar events happen several times a week in Iraq. Is this any less of a tragedy? And then there is an even more startling statistic: That about 30,000 children die each day from preventable illnesses around the world.

This is not meant to desensitize us to the tragedy that just took place in Virginia. Just the opposite. It is meant to sensitize us to all of these sad situations and to do all we can in our power to end them and prevent them from occurring again.

Let us end our gun culture, where killing is too often rationalized or glorified. Let us end our war culture, where war is seen as an effective way to solve problems and end conflicts. Let us end our culture of inequality, where some on our planet live in excess while others have no home, no food, and no healthy environment in which to grow up.

Instead, let us create a culture of community, where we share and take responsibility for each other’s well-being and safety. Let us set examples of that for others to follow, so even those with money and power will be shamed into giving it away.

Larry Dansinger

Monroe