It seems that every time a tragedy strikes, whether it be national news or closer to home, there is one trend that repeats itself with each incident. Everyone flocks to their social media accounts and sends their “prayers” and “thoughts” with the person and their loved ones. Countless posts and new profile pictures flood our feeds showing solidarity. But, to me, most of those prayers are empty and an opportunistic approach to drawing attention to one’s self. If tragedy ever strikes me, I don’t want you to pray for me. But this is what I want you to do.
If I die by the hands of a gunman with a weapon they should not have, or a gun that is illegal, do not pray for me.
Find out why that person had the gun, how they got it, and how it could have been prevented and actually make changes to how we handle our obsession with weapons. I don’t want your guns taken away, I just don’t want my mother to see me lying on the ground on every screen in the nation.
If I die while marching for the unjust death of a citizen, or while marching for the terrible tragedy of a lost officer, do not pray for me.
Do not victimize one another and resort to the outlandish remarks that extremists on opposite sides say. Just because they yell the loudest does not mean that their voice is the voice of the masses. Find peace and end this violence because no one deserves to be reduced to a hashtag.
If xenophobia continues to rise and I am attacked because my physical features make me look foreign, as we have seen happen in so many countries lately, do not pray for me.
Make this unacceptable. Destroy the notion that anyone that does not look, speak, or act the same as you is not worthy of the same existence you have. The old can be hard to teach, but start at an early age. Make the acceptance that children have continued for the rest of their lives. We all have different beliefs as to why we are here and if we’re alone, but presently, we are all we have. We are people all sitting together on a single rock in the middle of a dark and cold void. We should learn to live together because this is all we have.
If you find me lifeless with a letter to my loved ones, do not pray for me.
Change the negative stigma that is still so rampant about mental health. Encourage your friends and family to talk to someone whenever they feel something is going on. Don’t criticize or humiliate them and especially don’t alienate them. You don’t know the effect only a couple of words could have on someone. Also, don’t blame yourself. There’s a good to fair chance that it’s not your fault, so don’t be defensive, just be supportive.
If I die from standing in between a couple where someone was going to harm the person they are supposed to love, don’t pray for me.
Start recognizing that domestic violence is still a large issue in this world and that both men and women are victims of this abuse. Bring awareness and provide support for people looking for help, and stop letting their abusers find ways back into their lives.
If I have to hold the love of my life and our unborn baby in my arms as I weep over them, do not pray for us.
Stop the restriction of basic health services, especially to the struggling working class. Research claims on bogus reports that only exist to push legislation that favors likelihood of re elections. These are our mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters that are dealing with the consequences. We live in one of the greatest nations of all time with great prosperity. The defunding of these services should not even be remotely close to an issue.
Do not pray for me when I die, change the world we live in. But, here’s the thing. You don’t have to wait until it happens to me, or someone you love, or even yourself to change the world. You can do this now. You can seek change and progress and make the world a better place. It is in our hands, and it starts with you.
