What the Orlando Shooting Means for America and Its People | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

What the Orlando Shooting Means for America and Its People

What we can take away from this massacre.

2
What the Orlando Shooting Means for America and Its People
Unsplash

Earlier on this Sunday morning, a man by the name of Omar Mateen, 29, from Port St. Lucie Florida, opened fire at a night club called the Pulse in Orlando, Florida. This night club is known for being a gay club, which is what I believe to be one of the main reasons the shooter chose the venue.

This shooting has so far killed 50 people and ruined the lives of hundreds more. Not only did this shooting affect the lives of Orlando dwellers, but also all Americans. Because when Omar decided to take the lives of these people, he called 911 and pledged his allegiance to ISIS. This changes the whole tone of this massacre. Not only was he targeting one group, he was also targeting every American also.

The media will mainly focus on the fact that this was an ISIS attack. But I want to focus on what this also means for the smaller groups of people affected.

One of these groups affected was the gay community. Gay bars and night clubs are an opportunity for these people to openly be themselves. To be a majority in the minority. And now that someone has done such an atrocious thing to these people's safe place, it puts fear into their hearts. What if this happened at a bar you went to? In your place to go for fun? To relax? It makes me fear for my friends and family who are gay. What if someone targets them just because of who they love? This topic has been talked about for YEARS. Why is this still an issue?

Another group that will be affected is those who are Afghani descent. This attack will make some people generalize and decide that every person from the Middle East is related to ISIS, which of course is a brash generalization that is ridiculous. Just because you get bitten by a dog, that doesn't mean that every dog is bad. This also goes for people. Every person is different. It is racist and ridiculous to say that a person from a specific place or of a certain religion is a terrorist. Terrorism is not related to religion. It is related to a disgusting and harmful mindset.

Those who do have mental illness will also be looked at under a microscope. This attacker was ill, and the media will exploit that. Every person with mental illness is different, and every single person should know the warning signs of someone who needs help with their mental illness. America needs to be educated on what to look for and who to call with questions and concerns. This man was seriously disturbed. His father saw that he had anger towards the gay community but did not exploit it. I believe that this man needed an ear to talk to, to not only get him the help he needed but to even get authorities if it was something as concerning as these thought were.

Of course, there's no way to change these events. There's always someone to blame. At this time we shouldn't blame, we should keep these victims and families in our thoughts, and see the signs and warnings in the future. If you hear something weird or concerning that a person says, ask them about it, don't just let it slide. Think of the families. Think of the victims. Think of the future.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181344
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8248
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453207
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23739
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments