My heart goes out to all of the families and friends of the victims of recent events. The world has become a scary place to reside in. Every day we hear about bombings and shootings and killings of every kind. We fear for our friends, neighbors, and families because no one knows where the next attack will be. We have started to live in a world where our mentality is “Where will the next attack occur?” rather than “I hope it does not happen again” because these tragedies keep occurring.

We live in a world that dreams of peace, but can never take the steps to achieve it. We live in a nation that stands for freedom, but individuals use this freedom as an excuse for violence. Where does this stop? And sadly, I have to ask, "will it ever?"

It is sad that young and old people alike think “In twenty years where will this world be?” And our gut feeling is we will not be in any place good. We think it will only get worse. The constant tragic events leave little room for optimism. You think about having a family of your own someday and fear for the world that you will be bringing them into. You are afraid to grow up and live in this world and see where it goes.

But this fear, these tragedies, are the reasons that we have to fight back now. We have to actively resist violence to keep ourselves, our neighbors, our families, our nation, and our world a safe place to live. Now is the time to take action. Nearly, every day, innocent people in the world are dying at the hands of those who think nothing of violence. People who think nothing of killing large numbers of people. Those who see men, women, and children limp in a pool of their own blood and have no emotion regarding it.

Our world has become a tragic place, a scary place, a place in which violent acts occur too often. A place in which we cower in fear at the hands of others. Where we are skeptical of everyone and their intentions. But we should not cower in fear. We should defy and resist violence together not alone. Power comes in numbers. We hold the power to change this world and create a safe one without worry.