As tragedy struck our country on June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida, the entire country felt that inescapable pang of fear – fear of guns, fear of terrorism, fear of the violation of gay rights, fear of losing loved ones, fear of what’s to come. Just in case you don’t know the facts and details about the largest mass shooting in U.S. history, click here.
Now we are on "clean-up" duty -- though it’s hard to focus on the logistics and formalities under the shroud of mourning that has forever instilled its place in the textbooks. Politicians are reacting and speaking out – whether by releasing an apology statement, in connection to their agenda or a call-to-action. Families are grieving, friends who were unfortunately in the club are telling the horrific story through their lens and everyone else was lest with the unsettling feeling that it could have been them, their kid, their friend lost.
But despite all of these headlines, vigils and talks of necessary change, there is one question that the youth (but really everybody) need to answer:
"Why should youcare?"
Yes, I’m looking at you, youngsters.
It’s easy to let the bubble surrounding your high school, your university, your job or your social circle keep things at a certain distance – it’s like you see all the wrong happening, but you feel it’s past this kind of border to change, like your safe space with pop around you and everything you were previously seeing outside your bubble is very real. Now, I am not blaming you – this stuff is scary and sad and makes our country ache. And I know that may seem like a reason to feel helpless, as when atrocities happen in the world (especially this one) it proves how small you can be, how easily you could be put in such a horrible situation.
But let’s think for a second here. If anything, today’s American youth are the most effective force the country has to offer.
With approximately 52 percent of teens identifying as queer (48 percent identified as solely heterosexual) and with 20 of the victims being under the age of 25, this should be our Bat Signal. Our generation -- your best friend, your classmates, your high school crush -- is being effected by something big. Yes, it is terrible that lives had to be lost, and if it all could be reversed it would already have been done. So let’s do right by the people we’ve lost.
If you have an opinion about gun laws and you think the shooting proved there needs to be a ban or proved that guns don't kill people, people do, then call your state representative. Look up if your state bans gun sales to those on watch lists or your state’s stance on assault rifles. Tell them how you feel. Though for now gun law changes are being proposed, this may just pass as soon as the dust as settled. Here is where we cannot forget that we too have a say. If you’re above 18 years old, then vote (a right which everyone should utilize). You have the power to kick up some dust.
If you want a quick run down on the gun laws in the U.S., then click here.
If you identify as gay or queer or support LGBTQ+ rights, then work to broaden your community, to gain a deeper understanding with people of what has happened and share your stories and perspectives to illustrate the amazing role you play as citizens and as people. Don't let your progress and growth be squelched at the time where our country needs a fire to shed light on what needs fixing.
If you know of ISIS because of the news, but don't really understand the scope of the situation, then sit down and do some research. Look for sources you trust so you can educate yourself and become a resource for other people to trust. If you didn’t think ISIS had a direct impact on your life, then the Orlando shooting should have been a big wake up call. I know it was for me, and I hope this urges you to spark conversation with your fellow Millennials and to realize exactly what your generation and your country is up against.
Lastly, use this as a guide to help you dictate who you follow and believe in in the political sphere. How a candidate or a political figure responds to such events can be a real reflection of their character, of how they’ll relate to and help you as an influencer and policy maker. Use your social media savvy; stalk their accounts and tweet at them, leave comments on their walls, as every connection counts. Even though one thread of tweets or comments may seem purposeless, a whole lot of threads weave a pretty large blanket that can cover a ton of ground.
The suggestions are just the tip of the ice berg of what you can do. So I beg of you, please, as someone who at first felt just as rattled and discouraged when the Orlando shooting news broke – talk and fight and stand. We’ve got a lot of future ahead of us, so let’s work to make sure our fellow countrymen, citizens, friends and family can share that future with us.
