The world woke up to horror as news spread of the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando Florida, leaving 50 killed and 53 wounded. The shooter, Omar Mateen, pledged his allegiance to ISIS during the tragic three hour rampage of Pulse nightclub. Mateen engaged in gunfire with the Officer on duty at the entrance of Pulse, he then proceeded to enter the nightclub and used a .223 caliber AR-type rifle and a Glock handgun to carry-out his attack. Manteen then took 30 hostages and at approximately 5 A.M. SWAT team members made the decision to enter the nightclub. It was during this gunfire exchange that Mateen was killed. Since the incident, ISIS supporters have praised the massacre via social media and have claimed Mateen to be an ISIS "fighter".
This is a day I am sure many people from my generation will never forget. The catastrophic event, marks as the worst mass shooting in the U.S. and the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. The event also calls to attention, "the new face of the war on terror", as described by Florida Senator Macro Rubio. ISIS leaders have openly said that they intend to target the U.S. and it has become apparent that the war on terror has drastically changed from large scale attacks to individual ISIS followers plotting mass killings in unexpected places.
I myself am no politician, I am no lawyer, I am no Fox News correspondent, nor am I the Director of the FBI—I am, however, an American. I know American values and morals. I know the precious value of life, and how important it is to actually live it. I know what it feels like to be granted liberty without question, despite my race, my religion, my gender, or my profession. I know and will continue to know for all the days of my life, what happiness is, what it looks like and how it feels. These people that were a part of this act, and all the people that follow them, will never know these luxuries.
They think that they have somewhat defeated us, they rejoiced in our grieving and at the loss of a community they consider inhumane. As simple as it may sound, my mind cannot fathom certain things. I cannot fathom the level of hatred terrorists posses. I simply cannot understand how that much hate can come from another person. I cannot understand how people would disagree with a lifestyle, or a heritage so much that they resort to murder.
However, on the other side of the world, their minds cannot fathom what it is to love. They cannot understand religions tolerating one another and living together in day-today harmony. They cannot fathom people of different races, and sexual orientations being in the same room as one another and treating each other as equals. They cannot fathom not beating their wives, or even giving their wives the right to leave the house. They cannot fathom what it is to love.
They have not defeated us, nor will they ever. Today, the day after the worst massacre in the history of the United States, I see nothing but love in this country. I see people of every background, every race, every religion, every sexual orientation, joining together to pray, grieve, and pay respects to the 50 souls that were lost. I heard my Catholic Priest ask the whole congregation to pray for the LBGTQ community, their families and their loss. I heard endless news channels say that the phone lines to donate blood in the Orlando region were ringing off the hook. I felt the pain of every American as they saw the names of their countrymen listed as victims of the massacre.
I tasted a victory. They will always underestimate the power of love, and how it is the backbone of America. United we will always stand to protect and defend the land and citizens we will always and forever love. The battle of good and evil is truly a fight I will see in my lifetime but, I am not fearful because as the good Lord says, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love."
