Monday, June 13, 2016

Orlando: My Plea


I waited a little to gather my thoughts before sharing them publicly. I find that taking time to process before speaking really helps me to be objective and avoid emotionally-charged arguments.

The tragedy in Orlando is absolutely horrifying. Regardless of whether or not the club was targeted because of anti-homosexual sentiment, or if it was  anti-American domestic terrorism...It. Is. Awful. 

Fifty lives have been tragically cut short. Fifty families have now experienced unimaginable tragedy. Hundreds of people have been injured or affected emotionally. This is the worst mass shooting in American history. 

As we all process these events in Orlando, here is my plea:

Can we please stop using this to push our political agendas? The families of those affected have enough to deal with without divisive and hateful comments spoken only to further one's political alliances. Just stop. Stop blaming. Stop pointing fingers. Stop perpetuating the hate that fueled this tragedy. 

Instead, I recommend LOVE. How about we use this time to build others up instead of tear them down? Let's love each other regardless of gender, identity, sexual preference or religion. 

How is this actually do-able? How about we start by watching what we post on social media? Take a moment and think about what you're saying. Is it divisive? Is it being spoken out of anger or emotion? Does it have a place on social media? All too often we use social media as a platform...and it is...but sometimes, it's okay to get off your soapbox in order to stand in solidarity with those affected. 

Let your thoughts and actions be governed in love...in real life and virtual one. I promise you that the message of love and unity is so much stronger and more powerful than one of discord.

There isn't much that we, in different parts of the country, can do for the victims and victims' families except to pray and use these events not as a platform to build ourselves up but as a platform to lift others up with us.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, during his Tony acceptance speech summed my thoughts up perfectly,
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love lasts long
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside,
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music love and pride


4 comments:

  1. "How about we start by watching what we post on social media? Take a moment and think about what you're saying. Is it divisive?" I think we all forget to do this. Like you said, whether out of anger or emotion, we get caught up in the moment. With social networking, we feel like we have an outlet to give our input on everything that happens in the world, when in all actuality, most of us need to just keep our mouth shut. If you don't have anything of substance to contribute, it might just make things worse by pointing the finger elsewhere.

    Was it a hate crime? Was it terrorism? Instead of debating which one it was and how we should reform the 2nd amendment (this last one is unsolicited I know, but it's a popular trend on social media right now), save your words and your thoughts. Instead, go do something beneficial for society. Go donate blood for the Red Cross, say hello and give a dollar to a homeless person on the street. Take the time to really think about what you're going to write before you post (which I love that you waited for a time to post this article btw).

    Life can be very short, spend the time you have on this Earth loving those around you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Couldn't agree more! As my mom used to say, "If you can't say something nice, say nothing."

      Delete
  2. YES. It's horrible to try to politicize the event!

    ReplyDelete

Comments make me SO happy! Go ahead...make my day. ;)

SEARCH THIS BLOG