As members of a society where our lives are almost entirely tethered to our "smart" technology, most of us woke up Monday morning to the terrible news of what Happened in Las Vegas Sunday evening. As the story unfolded, the number of fatalities and the number of those injured in the attack rose throughout the day.
The worst mass shooting on American soil.
Let that really sink in before I go further with this.
THE WORST MASS SHOOTING ON AMERICAN SOIL....In history.
April 20th, 1999. The Columbine massacre, which is still considered one of the most tragic events in our country's history, saw 13 people dead and over 20 others injured.
April 16th, 2007. Virginia Tech students watched in horror as a fellow student shot and killed 33 people-leaving 17 injured.
July 20th, 2012. Fans in a local movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado were surprised when a man with a gun opened fire on the audience-leaving 12 dead and 70 injured.
December 14th, 2012. Sandy Hook Elementary School was attacked by a lone gunman and 20 children and 6 teachers are murdered.
June 12, 2016. A nightclub in Orlando, Florida suddenly resembles a war zone when a man guns down 49 people-leaving 58 wounded.
Before Sunday night, these were the worst and most tragic massacres performed by an American citizen. And now...
October 2, 2017. A 64-year-old man performed the single WORST mass shooting in our country's history. 58 fatalities. Over 500 injuried. By a LONE gunman
Have I said that a lot? Good. Because for some reason, despite the gravity of the situation, our "leaders" want to treat this like just another tragedy. There is no such thing as "just another tragedy." Not when it's reality. This isn't a well-scripted movie with heartbreaking performances by Oscar-worthy actors.
This is real heartbreak.
These are real people screaming in genuine terror.
These are real human beings finding out that their loved ones are dead after what was supposed to be a night of harmless fun. oscar-worthy actors. This is real heartbreak. These are real people screaming in genuine terror. These are real human beings finding out that their loved ones are dead after what was supposed to be a night of harmless fun.
Americans don't care though. Or at least, the ones who can influence the most change don't care. And many Americans will support those in power, despite our desperate need for change. They preach
"MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN"
...without acknowledging why America isn't so great anymore to start with.
To help illustrate the major problem we're facing right now, I would like to share with you all a satirical narrative that will hopefully express my opinion without pissing too many people off.
There's a man standing on a pedestal in a crowded park. There are all kinds of people there, of all different races and genders and walks of life. Some of them stop and stare at this man; they might recognize him as a celebrity. Some of them might be quite excited because this man is acting excited and he's saying things with such conviction that they feel like they agree.
This man is angry for some reason. Those who have started to gather and listen to him are starting to feel angry too. More people gather and as the crowd grows, the man grows even more boisterous and more careless with his choice of words. With so many people on his side, cheering him on, he pays no attention to the other people in the park who wish he'd stop. They were having a lovely day until this whole mess started. But still, it's just an annoyance right now-something they can get up and walk away from if the crowd gets too rowdy.
Suddenly, someone hands this man a megaphone. Soon his indiscreet and unreasonable rage is heard all around the park and even a few blocks away. He isn't even really saying anything. There's just so much anger, it's hard to ignore the sudden sense of fear rippling through the air as the venomous hatred spews from his mouth.
He's whipping the crowd into a frenzy with his contorted face, his raised tone, his expensive suit, and his recognizable face.
And to prove how serious he is about his point (which remains unclear), he starts to brandish a pistol that he's fished from a concealed holster under his suit jacket.
He waves it around in a dramatic fashion. Just like his "point," it is unclear what he plans to do with the weapon.
One onlooker turns to his neighbor, "Shouldn't we stop him?"
His neighbor is confused. "What? What for? He's not going to use it."
"How do you know? He's making me nervous. I don't even get why he's shouting like he is."
"Obviously, it's because he's upset with how he's been treated. And I have to say, I agree with him. I can relate."
"Well, how have you been treated badly?"
The second man does not seem to have an answer. So, the first continues.
"I mean there are innocent people just minding their own business, enjoying a nice day in the park. What if he means to use that gun?"
"Well, even if he did use it," argues the second man, "It's not like it would hurt a lot of people. I mean he probably wouldn't hit us all the way over here."
"But what about the other people?"
"You can't save everyone."
"But why does anyone have to be saved? This man is getting more and more crazed every minute! This whole thing is escalating and I don't see if stopping soon. People are getting worried. We should put a stop to it now while we still can."
"But he hasn't done anything yet. And we don't even know that he will do anything."
"That's the point-isn't it best to try to stop something before disaster strikes?"
"What disaster?"
"I'm just saying we should stop him before he hurts someone. Besides, he's really starting to make a fool of himself. I'm starting to feel foolish for sticking around and listening to him for so long."
"Well, he clearly doesn't mean what he's saying. Obviously he doesn't mean to come off that way."
"Obviously? He seems to believe every word his saying. And he's being really aggressive... I mean the gun alone says that much."
"Let's just agree to disagree, okay?"
"What? No. I don't think that's the answer here. I'm worried he's going to do something. He's only getting more heated."
"That gun's probably not even loaded. He's just making a point."
Suddenly, the man at the center of everything lifts the gun straight up into the air and fires.
At first, everyone panics. Then, his supporters begin laughing, as if they're trying to will the shot to be a joke. Surely he didn't mean it. The other half who are still frightened look around for the authorities. Surely he will be reprimanded for such reckless behavior.
But no.
Not only is there no punishment for such a disturbance, but soon, News Crews roll up in their vans and give the man still more attention.
"How is he getting away with all of this? Someone needs to do something!" The first man speaks again.
The second brushes his fellow off. "Stop being so dramatic. No one was hurt."
"So you're not willing to do anything unless someone is hurt? Isn't it better to stop the violence before something terrible happens?"
"What's so terrible about him?"
"Have you actually listened to what he's saying? He's insulted at least everyone who doesn't want to join his crowd. He's using cruel, vulgar language and he's waving around a firearm as freely as a scarf in the wind! He's a fool and every word out of his mouth only proves how little he knows. He's just ordered that the families from the next town over go back where they came from! This park is for everyone! And they weren't doing any harm!"
"Well, they're taking up too much space."
"No they're not. No more than you or I! And look! Because he's waving around his gun, other people in the crowd are taking out theirs! It was risky when he was waving around his own gun, but now there's over twenty people posing a threat to the general public because of arrogant recklessness!"
"They would have probably done that anyway. That's not his fault."
"No... no NO! He initiated all of this! Open your eyes and look around. This park wasn't perfect; it had plenty of flaws, it wasn't absent of crime or violent people, and it certainly could use more funding to make it a little safer and cleaner. But the people were mostly happy. They were mostly just minding themselves and enjoying the space! Sure it wasn't in the best shape, but they were all proud of this park! They were proud to be seen here, to meet other people here. And now, look at them. They're scared. They don't feel safe. They look ashamed of this park, and of all those people up at the front cheering the hatred on! An hour ago, this was a peaceful place. Now just look at it."
"Well. We needed a change anyway."
Another shot is heard, then another, and another. People start shrieking and running about, unsure where to go. It only takes a moment to notice the bodies lying too still on the ground.
"Is this the change we needed? Are you happy, now?"
Please take this little narrative as a metaphor to illustrate an opinion-a popular opinion among those who continue watching the destruction of our country in horror. I don't mean to cause an argument or upset anyone, but if that's the outcome, so be it. I mean every word I say. If you give me a chance and hear me out, I promise to always do the same for you. But you will get nowhere with me if all you're doing is spewing hatred.
I think I've made my point. Bring on the vulgar language calling me all the names and saying how stupid I am for having this opinion-but more importantly, bring on the lengthy paragraphs of genuine discussion about a very real and painfully prominent issue. Bring. It. On.
