On Sunday the 12th of June I woke up to the horrific news about the shooting in Orlando, Florida. I woke up to the news of yet another hate crime and I knew that I was going to have to listen to the media and people that I know talk about how it was just another Muslim Terrorist (please can we give this term a rest? Go pick up a book of that religion--you will find that they, just as Christians, do not want to kill people.) that is out to get us. He was a terrorist, yes, but this man who went and killed these people with no remorse was not a terrorist because of his skin color, his family, his race, or religion. He was a terrorist because he made the conscious decision to go forth on an act of terror. Not only was this an act of terror, but it was also a hate crime against the LGBTQIA+ community--during Pride Month no less.
I have grown up in a society where we are extremely divided. The rules of politics and the old generations compared to the new generations make sure of that. Those people who are so extreme in their hate-filled beliefs that they are part of why some people are senselessly killed. It is absolute madness. Everyday I wake up there seems to be another person that has been killed because of his or her race, sexuality, gender, beliefs, or whatever else.
I have spent this week with my heart aching for those who lost loved ones, for those people who lost their family, for those people who lost their lives. My heart aches for Akyra Murray who was only 18 and was celebrating her graduation. For the mother of Isaiah Henderson who got down in front of her son to take those bullets that were going to kill him. The mother that saved her son's life. My heart aches for the entire community of people who have been threatened once again on the basis of unneeded homophobia and hatred. For my friends who have family members within this community. For those who are still closeted whether by force because of the homophobia in the world and that may be in their family, or by their own choice.
I have spent this week with the victims of Orlando, Florida and the rest of the world.
I have a hard time understanding people who think this was in any way okay. I cannot fathom why someone would want to shoot anyone dead. The only thing these victims (the 49 of them, I believe) did was go to a club where they were supposed to be safe to have fun. Their safe space was invaded during a month where they should not have to worry about that at all. I somehow still have faith that someday people will understand that it is wrong to kill people based upon your beliefs, but based on current happenings I do not think it will be happening any time soon.
This shooting at Pulse Nightclub was unnecessary. It should not have happened and regardless of the why or how, it was a hate crime and a domestic terrorist attack against that community.
To the victims, the victim's families and friends, the LGBTQIA+ community, to the genuine allies of these people who feel this as deeply as they can: I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am so sorry that you, your friends, your family--that people you love and care about are going through this and that they may not feel safe anymore.
The victims and their stories can be found on NPR's website here. I hope that someday this community can be free, feel free, be safe, and feel safe.
