It’s a typical Wednesday:
I meet with my writing Professor,
I get my Venti mango lemonade from Starbucks,
and I walk to Kresge Hall, my school’s language builiding.
Once I arrive, I begin to write my paper
With my music on blast.
Only to have this melodic background interrupted by a call.
It’s an unknown number from Evanston,
my school’s town.
I pick up not knowing exaclty what to expect.
An automated voice begins speaking
I almost habitually hang-up, but wanting a distraction from work I listen
To find out that there is an armed gunman on my campus.
I freeze and focus on the repeating line
THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Grabbing my stuff, I run to find shelter.
I go to a trusted Professor
seeking shelter in his lockable office.
Blockading the door behind me.
I know exactly what to do
In school they train you for these types of events
Sit still, be quiet.
What’s most ironic is that today my school had a march out
With the goal of detesting gun violence
Only to be attacked hours later.
It’s fucked up.
The threat of gun violence is universal.
I would have never expected such an event to happen to me or my school community.
But it did.
And events like these will keep happening until stricter gun regulation is obtained.
