The scarf for 2024 tracked only deaths in mass shootings. The scarf for 2025, however, tracks deaths and injuries combined. This is to show how many people are affected by gun violence in the United States, not just how many are killed. 

Shootings that take place in a school will be marked with white beads, similarly to the 2024 scarf. Grey rows are for the mass shootings that have 0 deaths, but at least 4 injuries. This is the minimum requirement for the shooting to be considered a mass shooting. Yellow rows are 4 injuries and deaths combined. Orange rows are 5, 6, or 7 deaths and injuries combined. Red rows are 8, 9, or 10 deaths and injuries combined. Lastly, black rows have 11 or more deaths and injuries combined. 

In terms of violence, 2025 was a particularly bad year. The name of this scarf is a quote from a prominent activist who was shot this year. They are not a row on the scarf, as they were the only person shot during the incident. However, their death sparked such a discussion surrounding guns and gun violence that it felt like the right choice to name the scarf with one of their quotes about gun violence.