Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Insensitive Tweet on Mass Shootings Misses the Entire Point

In the aftermath of a horrific mass shooting, many people take to social media to share their thoughts and feelings. Some call on congress and politicians to do something about the scourge of gun violence. Others call out the President and his administration for fostering a culture of hate and racism. Still others bring up the issue of mental health and other societal ills that contribute to our culture of violence.

And then there’s astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, who decided to respond to this moment of national tragedy with the following tweet:

Really Neil? Really? After two back to back mass shootings, you’d like us to take a step back and reconsider our emotional response to this “spectacle”? We get that you’re a famed scientist and you value data, as do many of us. And here’s what the data tells us: in the past 216 days of 2019, there have been 251 mass shootings. That’s more shootings than days.

This country is and has been in a crisis of gun violence, conflated by the rise in alt-right sentiment that is supported by the most powerful people in the government. The rise of social media as a tool for alienation and radicalization has inspired countless acts of violence, which then beget more violence, causing what is now known as mass shooting “clusters”. Add to that the ease with which we have access to high powered guns meant for war zones and ammunition, both of which are easier to obtain than a box of Sudafed or the morning after pill.

Tyson’s point is especially galling when you look at the comparisons: medical errors are accidental. The flu, which is often preventable, is also not the result of malicious and illegal actions. Suicide and car accidents are both tragic, but we as a society are working towards safer cars and greater education and access to mental health. We could be doing better in all these areas: healthcare, safety, education, outreach.

But guess what the government isn’t lifting a finger on? Gun control. Despite overwhelming public support for simple solutions like background checks or assault weapons bans, our government is held hostage by the NRA and a tiny but somehow powerful zealous wing of gun nuts.

Many took Tyson to task on social media for his misguided and insensitive tweet:

Tyson, who was previously in the news for allegations of sexual harassment and assault from four women, was recently reinstated at his job as director of the Hayden Planetarium, after an investigation conducted by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He has also been invited back to host his series StarTalk and Cosmos after similar investigations by Fox and National Geographic also cleared him.

Maybe he should use this time to stay off social media and practice some empathy.

(via Twitter, image: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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