This weekend a man walked into a club with an assault rifle and killed 50 Americans, leaving many more injured. When I heard the news my heart sank to my stomach, thinking of kids my age in a night club. When you go out at night you are never thinking that something like that could happen to you. Fear and terror quickly fled the nation as we questioned how and why something like that could happen in the U.S.
The Orlando shooting is a heart breaking tragedy for everyone involved. Questions about the shooting being a hate crime against the LGBT community or an act of terrorism are still in the air. Although the shooter claimed he was involved with ISIS, there is not yet a clear link. No matter the reason behind the crime, this is a tragedy we all pray will never happen.
My heart goes out to all of those affected by this awful event and Orlando is in my thoughts and prayers. I saw on the news the line of people to donate blood for the victims of the shooting and I felt the love that our country can sometimes have for one another, but only two short days later I am left angered at what my country has become.
This devastating shooting has quickly become just another reason for our politicians to break our country in two. We post our views of guns and gay rights all over the internet and fight anyone who is willing to argue. We break down those who aren’t from the same party and have different views than us and scold our country for letting something like this happen.
How quickly we forgot all the loved ones trying to grieve for the loss of their families and friends. How quickly we forgot our pride, our unity. Rather than standing as one unified country we split in two. We let a tragedy affecting so many become just another way for our media and politicians to bring up views about gun laws. We become more hostile instead of loving and caring for one another.
We aren’t holding our families any tighter. We aren’t praying any harder. We aren’t donating time and money to help those in need. No, not America. Instead we fight. When there were attacks in France we unified as a country to help them. We even changed our profile pictures to help show our support. When an attack happens in another country we are there to help, but when it happens in ours we fight. We post our views about gay rights and guns all over the media, hoping someone will debate us. We give into the whole idea of a terrorist attack by fighting among each other and letting the hostility into our homes. Instead of using this time to promote peace and teach our children right from wrong, we break each other down and let our children learn that fighting will solve problems. Whether the shooting was a terrorist attack, hate crime, or act of mental illness, we are not dealing with it the right way and we are certainly only adding to the hate, fear, and terror that has plagued our country once again.
We all think that one law or another can save us. More guns will protect us. Less guns will protect us. More talk about gay rights will prevent this. Less talk about gay rights will prevent this. Don't let in immigrants. Let in more immigrants. We all look to blame one another to decrease our own fear and make ourselves feel more safe. We all have an answer to the problem. If there was a simple answer to the problem we would have already solved it. Nothing in life is black and white. There is evil in this world and no law can take that away. You cannot take evil from the world, but you can add peace and love. Peace and love aren’t as easy as hate and blame so America has choose the lesser of the two. The best thing we can do is love each other, support each other, and help one another. However, it seems we have quickly forgotten all of the values this country was built on.
The country I grew to love and cherish has lost its way. This country has been known for its opportunity, its unity, its diversity, its pride, its love, and its hope. I hope my friends and family realize that this tragedy should not be a platform for media and politicians to break our country apart, but it should be a tragedy that brings us all together. Because it seems like so many of my fellow Americans have forgotten how, tonight I will cherish my loved ones a little more and pray a little harder. I will try to be more compassionate and understanding of my neighbors and peers. I will try to be an example for the younger generations. I will try to appreciate all the little things in this life because you never know when it can be taken away.
