For many it was first mistaken as part of a rap song until the noise continued and screams followed. The noise was that of a semi-automatic firearm being discharged rapidly in the close quarters of Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. With fifty people killed and fifty-three more rushed to the hospital for advanced medical attention, a city known for being home to the happiest place on Earth was punched in the gut and knocked to its knees. The bloody scene scattered with the bodies of innocent victims and one murderous killer could easily be mistaken for a scene from a popular horror movie, but this was no movie. This was real life and the despicable actions of one political extremist had taken the lives of fifty brothers, sons, fathers, and husbands. The list of victims extends far beyond those fifty who lost their lives and includes more than fifty people who were injured physically and much more who will suffer from post-traumatic stress from what they witnessed. All of these victims, regardless of their nature, have one thing in common, they were all innocent.
In these dark and difficult times, it can be near impossible for a grieving nation to find the light. Albus Dumbledore, a character from J.K. Rowling world renowned book series, Harry Potter, once said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” If this fictional character was correct and light can be found even in these times of depression, where should we look? That light switch is within reach and lies within the hearts and souls of the victims and their families. It lives within the hearts and souls of all people.
The switch will be flipped when we not only honor and remember the victims but when we take action on their behalf and learn from these horrific attacks. The time has come to take on fear and fight for what is right. Perhaps without knowing it, those victims died for what they believed in. To no choice of their own, everyone in that club became a soldier defending personal freedom and individual liberty. When a political extremist entered ‘Pulse’ determined to make a statement against homosexuals he failed. He was defeated by the honorable soldiers in that club who even in the afterlife remind us why it is important to protect everyone’s beliefs.
Without saying any words, they gave the most powerful speech about love and respect that the world has ever heard. The victims of this despicable attack have done more to teach us about inclusion and what it means to be an American than anyone who has walked the Earth before them. That is where light fills the room of darkness surrounding our great nation. Those victims showed us that this was not just a terrorist attack on Americans, it was a terrorist attack on humans and human rights. As a nation who prides itself on supporting human rights, we should be able to appreciate and honor the sacrifices that the innocent victims gave in support human rights around the world. In the face of fear and danger, love and pride prevailed.
While we sit in darkness, we must recognize that we have been led to the light switch and all that we must do now is turn it on. In the face of grief and fear, let us follow in the footsteps of those men who found the light switch. Let's show the world that we are unified as one people. Coming from all walks of life and identities, we can join forces to promote human rights. We can join forces to show that love and pride can defeat every enemy, no matter how daunting.
This war won’t be fought against a conventional army, it will be fought against an army that dominates darkness. The enemy doesn’t have soldiers, they have something much stronger, a doctrine of hate. That hate is no match for us if we remember the lessons from Orlando, Love is more powerful than hate. If we promote freedom like never before and embrace our neighbors and community through a doctrine of love, we can turn the light on in this dark and difficult war. Once we turn the light on, the enemy will be no match for us. We must show the enemy that we won’t be scared into changing our beliefs and that no amount of hate can take away life because the lessons of love and pride will live on forever so long as we remember to turn the light on.
On a personal note, my thoughts and prayers go out to those who were affected by the tragic events that took place in Orlando, Florida. We stand with you and we will not forget. From sea to shining sea, we will stand up for what is right and promote human rights at a level that the world has never before seen. Regardless of religious affiliation or personal beliefs, from this day forward we stand to promote love and pride. God Bless!
