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Quinta Brunson Discusses Why She Will Never Do a School Shooting Episode on “Abbott Elementary”

May 27, 2022

“Abbott Elementary” is an ABC sitcom detailing the experience of a group of teachers working in an underfunded school. With its amazing comedy while tackling and discussing difficult issues teachers face when working in schools without decent resources, fans have adored the show throughout the season and look forward to the second one. But, in the light of the Uvalde shooting that claimed the lies of 21 people, 19 being children, creator Quinta Brunson discusses that people have asked her for a school shooting episode before and why she would never do one.

Someone watched a cute show like Abbott Elementary and said yeah it needs a school shooting episode. Man

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 25, 2022

On Twitter, Brunson begins a thread, writing “wild how many people have asked for a school shooting episode of the show I write. people are that deeply removed from demanding more from the politicians they’ve elected and are instead demanding “entertainment.” I can’t ask “are yall ok” anymore because the answer is “no.” Although some shows featured school shootings in their episodes before, from “Glee” to “Degrassi,” Brunson says that “I don’t want to sound mean, but I want people to understand the flaw in asking for something like this. we’re not okay. this country is rotting our brains. I’m sad about it.”

Exhibit A: one of many. pic.twitter.com/mxcKWl3c17

— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) May 25, 2022

Some fans have messaged Brunson, saying that the show can impact the laws and “affect change.” But, many pointed out that if children dying in schools do not persuade lawmakers or those in the government to pass these laws, it would be surprising if a sitcom would be able to do so. ”

https://twitter.com/jesserca/status/1529574664938340353?s=20&t=mx8UMa3QEEDP56d59HAuaw

Many believed that this pointed to the desensitization of people when it comes to school shootings, which is definitely not a positive. Others pointed out that media does not always have to have great tragedy, especially since there is tragedy enough in the real life. “Are marginalized communities not allowed to have escapist media? Why does every single show that features us have to talk about shit we’re already losing hair about in our daily lives? I look to Abbott Elementary for a laugh, not a reminder about how black kids will never be safe

They’re asking the wrong Abbott to do something

— Kar (@karlogan_) May 25, 2022

asking for a school shooting episode for Abbott Elementary is unhinged. You wouldn't ask The Goldbergs or The Connors for that either

— Ex Beyonce Fan (@kingbealestreet) May 25, 2022

Overall, Brunson was clear that she would never do a shooting episode, which was a relief to many. “I don’t want to think of fictional schools having a shooting the same way I don’t want to think of real schools having a shooting. It shouldn’t be normalized.”