Having a mental illness does not mean

that I am going to shoot up a school.

Let me repeat that.

Having a mental illness does not mean

that I am going to shoot up a school.

Why the stunned silence?

Why the shocked look?

Hasn’t the entire gun control debate been

about me?

Diagnosing me, treating me, preventing me

from getting a gun?

Protecting you and your family from the monster.

From me.

Having a mental illness does not mean

that I am going to shoot up a school.

Or a mall.

Or a place of worship.

Or a movie theater.

Or a street corner.

Having a mental illness does not mean

that you should be scared of me.

That you believe that I am an entity of

evil.

Like you, I condemn violence of any kind.

Like you, I wish December 14th

and July 20th

and January 8th

and April 16th

and August 5th

were regular days and not

anniversaries.

Having a mental illness does not mean

that I am going to shoot up a school.

So why do the media, the government,

and yes,

you as well,

believe that it does?