The Orlando shooting, Paris attacks, race-related shootings and bombings: these are some of the few tragedies occupying our lives. But what do these have in common?
After all of these events people claim, they hope, for the same thing. They want to remember, not to forget. They want to remember the pain, the loss, the feeling of watching safety crumble and fear overcome. They want it to end.
These events are plastered on news and relevant on most social media. The stories spread like wildfire and yet, once the next event overshadows, the previous is left in the ruble. This is the pattern most tragedies follow and though citizens claim they will remember, claim not to forget, most have.
We say we want it end, so why isn't it?
It's that very pattern that destroys our chance at change.
If something will soon be forgotten, what's the point in aid? Now this may work for some situations, say if you take a child's lollipop. Most likely they'll forget about it and it simply won't matter.
This isn't stealing a lollipop; it's stealing lives.
Switch the subjects and the meaning changes; although stealing is frowned upon, the first sentence doesn't sound horrifying, but put in people's lives and it seems absurd. If someone were to say we don't need to stop these tragedies because eventually no one will remember, they would sound crazy, right?
Now, this isn't an ideal people mean to create, but is it not what's happening?
We send our condolences to families affected and we send prayers of change, but are we actually doing anything to change this? Sorry to disappoint, but apologies don't save lives; not this time.
If we want the tragedies to stop, we're going to have to stop them. There's no one else who will. Of course, we can't remember everything, it's nearly impossible, but simple reminders, continuations of posts, can spread the word and keep the story live.
What will keeping a story live or spreading it actually do? By keeping a post, article, or message going, you're letting others know the situation shouldn't end with tomorrow's news, but extend to others. The more people aware and the more who choose to remember, the better chance for improvement.
Because that's the whole point. We want it to end. We want to see improvement before our eyes, not hope it'll come one day. This is our life and I, for one, am tired of seeing unnecessary death every time I turn on the news.
It's not even surprising to hear of these horrific events anymore, doesn't that say something?
We may not be able end the suffering, but the first step begins with you.
Never forget.
