​What We Must Remember In The Wake Of Orlando | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

​What We Must Remember In The Wake Of Orlando

Thoughts and prayers are not enough.

3
​What We Must Remember In The Wake Of Orlando
Al Jazeera

Early Sunday morning, a man entered a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. This man, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and injured 53 more, making this the deadliest mass shooting in American history. As with every other recent mass shooting, messages of “thoughts and prayers” began to permeate social media. Everyone with a Twitter or Facebook will have seen at least one post, someone sharing their sadness and fear, and sending their wishes to the families of victims. Not too long after, however, came a second wave. Thoughts and prayers were drowned out by voices saying that thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. And they aren’t because generic thoughts and prayers erase the specifics of this event.

This was not only a mass shooting. It was a hate crime. The killer entered a gay nightclub, an intended safe space, on it’s Latin night, with the intention to kill the people inside, members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mateen was a homophobe. And he isn’t alone.

Last June, same sex marriage was legalized in the United States and we as a nation celebrated this progress with hugs and rainbow filters and yes, marriage. But too many mistakenly viewed marriage equality as the final step in LGBTQ rights. Since then, state after state has denied trans individuals the freedom and protection to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender. It’s still legal in many states to fire or evict someone for being LGBTQ or deny them the right to visit their partner in the hospital. Even today, in the wake of an event leaving 53 people wounded, Florida blood banks were turning away gay donors because of federal regulations. This shooting was a hate crime. It was the product of a country that still allows legal systems to perpetuate discrimination and foster homophobia.

Omar Mateen, while born in New York, comes from an Afghan family. And while his family has said his actions were not rooted in religious extremism and apologized for his actions, Islamophobes are still using this incident to further their messages of and hatred. This tragedy was born out of intolerance. It is not an opportunity to promote further bigotry, especially as hated has never solved anything. Whether or not Mateen is linked to the Islamic State is not relevant here. What’s relevant is that his actions were motivated by homophobia and do not reflect the values of Islam as a whole.

This was the biggest mass shooting in American history. Before this, the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and the 32 lives lost held that record. Between Virginia Tech and Orlando lie many, many mass shootings and a sickening death toll. And as always, thoughts and prayers do nothing to change gun control policy. The fact remains that almost anyone can obtain a firearm and that countless people and politicians steadfastly defend their right to do so. America has seen more deaths by firearm and experienced more mass shootings than any other country.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, even powerless, when tragedies like this occur. And it’s natural to want to share the heartache and show support for those who are impacted and we should continue to do this. But thoughts, prayers and rainbow hearts on social media don’t inspire any real change. We have to lobby politicians, make them hear that we won’t stand for the continued ease of obtaining a firearm. We have to push back against discriminatory laws that restrict and persecute LGBTQ communities. And we have to respond to the voices that want to pin this crime on entire religion, who want to use one man’s extremist homophobia to justify their own prejudice. None of us can instantly or single-handedly solve homophobia or Islamophobia or put an end to mass shootings. But the more people who are willing to stand up and become involved, the more powerful our voices become.

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.

184339
 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

10790
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...

454957
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.

24767
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