Dear Alec,
I can only imagine…
How awful… how tragic… how gut-wrenching it must be to know you are responsible for accidentally ending the life of another. I am so sorry, Alec… for Halyna… for her family… for you and your family, too…
For our Intramuralist readers, allow me to briefly share some background on the incident, as reported by Reuters:
“Alec Baldwin was handed what was described as a safe ‘cold gun’ on the set of his movie ‘Rust’, but the prop gun contained live rounds when it was fired, according to details of the police investigation into the fatal shooting released on Friday.
The shot hit cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in the chest, and director Joel Souza who was behind her, in the shoulder, according to a county sheriff’s affidavit filed in Santa Fe magistrates court.
Hutchins died of her wounds and Souza was injured but has since been released from a local hospital.
The assistant director who handed Baldwin the prop gun did not know it contained live rounds, the affidavit by Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department Detective Joel Cano said…
Baldwin, 63, on Friday expressed his ‘shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident’ that killed Hutchins. In a message on his social media accounts, he said his ‘heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.’”
Alec, I’m sorry. How unprecedented your shock and sadness must be.
You know, I’ve learned a little something as my years of life grow longer. I’m no expert. No wise philosopher, guru, whatever. Just like you — just like each of us, actually — I’m an imperfect adult, created in God’s image, enjoying the sweet blessings of life, encouraging others, learning from my mistakes, trying to live life as wisely as I can, being at peace with all people.
The totality of that description keeps me humble. Well, semi-humble at least. In fact, I can remember a time when I was younger, seeing things on the news, headlines on the front page, thinking, “I would never do that!” Or better yet, “I’m not capable of that.”
And then as I grew, still enjoying those sweet blessings, I learned that I really was capable of a whole lot more stupid stuff than I ever deemed possible.
That recognition was eye-opening to me. Maybe it’s what propelled me into this whole respect thing. Maybe it’s what’s made me see that we really are called to honor all people — regardless of what we have in common… regardless of differences in opinion. The recognition of our own imperfection is the path to humility in self and compassion toward everyone else.
Alec, I appreciate your many talents and giftedness as an actor; the reality is also true that you haven’t always been gracious to those who don’t think like you or share your opinion. You haven’t been consistently thoughtful or considerate. It’s no secret that you aren’t known for your kindness.
True, too, in the wake of this tragedy, not all have been thoughtful and considerate of you.
I’m not ok with that. I’m not ok with a lack of kindness… or lack of honor. For any.
Hence, as I pray for comfort and peace for Halyna’s family and for yours, I also pray that this awful situation is one in which your shock and sadness spur on your humility. No judgment, Alec. I simply want what’s best for you. I believe humility always to be best.
May each of us continue to grow — never forsaking humility or intentionally forgoing what is wisest and best.
God be with you… and with all those deeply affected by the tragedy of this time.
Sincerely…
AR