I’m a Florida native born and raised in Orlando. I’ve known the city since I was just a little kid; over the years I’ve seen it grow, change and overall improve as a place that’s home to so many Floridians and a popular spot for visiting tourists from around the globe. Even with the heavy traffic or the blazing, ninety-degree heat, it’s a place I love and a place I’m proud to call home. In light of recent events last week, however, one could argue that this vision of a thriving, positive Orlando is flawed or too idealistic. And with good reason: the tragedy that occurred last weekend has done much to create fear, strife and feelings of doubt in the hearts of all Americans, Floridians and non-Floridians alike. However, this vision of Orlando that I have is one that still holds true for me.
I could talk about the politics or the investigation concerning these terrible circumstances, but I instead choose to talk about the thing that I’m sure everyone is thinking about: how do we move forward? In the face of a disaster such as this, the answer isn’t always clear. The answer is sometimes lost to us due to the grieving and mourning for who and what we’ve lost. But if I’ve picked up anything in the past few years about matters like this, it’s that community is key.
My younger brother’s favorite basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, has a mantra: “Strength in numbers.” One of the most important things we can do right now is to be there for one another, helping each other during this stressful time in the best ways we know how. Alone and left to our own devices, it can become easy for fear and anguish to overwhelm us. Together, as friends, family, or members of a community, we can emphasize values such as empathy or kindness in order to push back those negative feelings. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth our time and effort, in spite of the challenges it carries.
My intent is not to oversimplify the issue or gloss over the atrocity of what transpired. Given the harrowing and trying time we now live in, it is my goal to focus on things that can instill at least some hope within us. It is no secret that this senseless loss of life is reasonably terrifying to many, but if we are to simply give in to fear, then the kinds of people who perpetrate these offenses will have won against us. What we need is hope; hope that comes from lifting each other up and telling one another that it is possible to endure—that things will be okay. We need to help one another understand and accept that we have the power to push on.
Words won’t bring back the people who lost their lives that terrible day. They won’t erase the threat that we face as Florida residents or American citizens. But what they can do is strengthen us for what’s ahead. Our words, attitudes, and actions in the days ahead can help us to combat hatred and promote acceptance, heal the wounds the incident has inflicted, and give us the courage and the gumption to live our lives to the fullest. It is because of these beliefs that I choose to remain optimistic about my home and the future. Orlando and our country as a whole are only as strong as the people in them. So don’t be afraid to be hopeful, don’t hesitate to spread compassion, and never lose sight of the defining characteristics that make us strong and kind.
I am a citizen of Orlando, and I am proud to be one.
