Each week, the principal of the school where my children attend sends a weekly e-newsletter. It has all sorts of updates about upcoming events, who to reach out to for what, and many more items. It is a very long newsletter. One specific item has caught my attention over the past few weeks. The school has announced they are moving to clear backpacks for the 2024-25 school year.

Now, I have no problem with clear backpacks. I’m sure my youngest will be slightly sad to give up his Pokemon backpack. But, at the end of the day, a backpack is about being sufficient to carry books, lunches, pencil pouches, and a few other varying items.

However, this clear backpack is about something in particular.

Safety.

Safety of the students, faculty and staff.

Here is part of the message posted in the newsletter.

In an effort to enhance the safety and security of our students and staff, we have decided to transition to the use of clear backpacks for all students for the 2024-2025 school year.

The safety of our school community is our top priority. Clear backpacks offer several benefits in this regard. By allowing visibility into the contents of each bag, we can more effectively monitor and address potential safety concerns.

Clear backpacks allow for the ability to see into them – to ensure no weapons are brought to school.

You see, the middle schoolers (ages 11-14) already walk through metal detectors each and every day. Welcome to school, kids. This should, one would think, guard against any guns being brought into the school. But it’s not 100% fool proof. Clear backpacks will be another step toward gun safety.

I can’t believe a metal detector is needed for an elementary and middle school. But it is reality in America, where the 2nd amendment is the equivalency of an American confession of faith within the socio-religious society that has been created. We have sacrificed many a children on the altar of “2nd amendment rights”. So many school shootings to date.

Knowing my kids walk into school each and every day where all types of weapons, including guns, can be carried with ease causes deep concern. I don’t live with great anxiety over it. But this is real, this is life, this is the America we live in today.

It makes me angry; it causes me to lament.

With these things in mind, I offer an updated rendition of MLK’s potent words delivered on Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, our sons and daughters will be able to sit down at school never wondering if a firearm will be pulled.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of firearms, sweltering with the smell of death will be transformed into an oasis of peace and justice.

I have a dream that my three children will one day live in a nation where they will not feel unsafe and fear what could happen at the movie theater or in their local park as lives are sacrificed on unholy altars. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day here in Tennessee with its vicious killings, with politicians’ pockets lined with NRA money, one day right here in Tennessee, little boys and girls will be able to go to school without walking through metal detectors. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the shalom of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

I have a dream.