Shootings in the United States have become all too common an occurrence, as yet another mass shooting occurred in Jacksonville over the weekend. On Aug. 26, a white gunman entered a Dollar General and fatally shot three African Americans in what was believed to be a racially motivated attack.
The shooting, however, does seem to have a slightly different response than most. While we still have the same crowds calling for gun control and others saying that they don’t want their rights infringed upon, we did have a beacon of light arise in the form of a Democratic councilwoman Ju’coby Pittman.
Shortly after the shooting, the councilwoman organized a vigil for the victims. This drew in an unexpected guest in the form of Ron Desantis, the current governor of Florida and presidential hopeful in 2024. Upon taking the stage, DeSantis was promptly booed. This prompted Ju’coby Pittman to approach the Governor and ask for the mic. Ju’coby then stated “We finna put parties aside. Because it ain’t about parties today. A bullet don’t know a party.” She went on to say “If the governor wanted to come here and bring gifts to our community y’all know I’m taking the gifts.”
The coverage of this has been different from left and right-leaning media organizations. MSNBC focused on Councilwoman Pittman’s response to the shooting itself, quoting her stating that she is “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Fox focused on her immediate response to Ron Desantis’s appearance at the vigil, using her quote on bullets not having parties. In recent days, Ju’coby Pittman was asked by Florida Politics about Ron Desantis’s appearance in Jacksonville during the shooting where she stated “I did not invite him to speak and I was not happy he chose to do so because it caused much disruption.”
While this does seem to stray from her immediate reaction to Ron Desantis’s appearance, it still is refreshing to see the primary reason for a politician to be angry about another politician’s appearance from a rival party at the sight of a tragedy to be strictly for the victims’ sake. Often, it seems politicians are strictly worried about perception, yet Ju’coby Pittman stood up and showed her compassion for victims along with the desire for a small olive branch to be extended to political opponents.
Michael Walsh ‘25 voiced his concern to The Carroll News when he expressed “I respect the attitude as many shootings have been made almost like a circus from politicians and news anchors. As such, I think that somber neutrality is good for the community and the nation.”