Terrorism: (n) the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal.
Hate Crime: (n) any of various crimes motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation).
It is with deep sorrow that I repeat the events that transpired on June 12, 2016, where 49 innocent men and women were killed and 53 were injured in a mass shooting in Orlando, FL -- ironically home of "The Happiest Place on Earth," Walt Disney World. The Massacre took place at Pulse, a gay nightclub, by 29-year-old Omar Saddiqui Mateen.
Mateen, only minutes prior to opening fire, called 9-1-1, where he pledged his allegiance to ISIS, an Islamist militant group who has proven their brutality very harshly to various countries. The foreign name of this individual attacker is not what makes this an act of terror, but his actions and the intent behind them do. According to Time, ISIS has claimed resposibility for the attack -- and that right there, paired with Mateen's pledge and the words he spoke as he shot, is the reason that there should be no argument that this man was indeed a terrorist.
What words did he speak as he shot up a club full of innocent people? A young African American woman who was held hostage, among others, with the attacker in the club's bathroom told officials that the shooter claimed he did not want to hurt black people, as they had "already suffered enough." He simply wanted to "get America to stop bombing his country," which hints to one of the 'political goals' he was trying to achieve.
Not only was this indeed an act of terror, but an act of hate. As mentioned previously, the club where the massacre took place was not only filled with homosexual men and women, but primarily Hispanics, as Pulse nightclub was celebrating "Latino Night." Did Mateen know that the night was celebrating Mexican heritage? Maybe not. But the Hispanic community is hurting tremendously by the possibility that these innocent lives were taken because of the color of their skin, and of course the LGBTQ community is mourning the set backs in the significant strides our country has made in acceptance.
Just when huge changes and conversations are happening to halt stereotypes and stomp out the stigmas behind these various lifestyles, a tragedy like this sets us back. These men and women died solely because of who they choose to rightfully love, and we must stand by them during this extremely difficult time.
To homosexual men and women who fear for their lives everyday, for individuals of minority wondering when the prejudice and discrimination will stop, to everyone frightened in America: I stand with you and pray for peace.
Every single person in this country has been affected by this tragedy, but let us not respond with hate and controversy -- let's grow from the dirt that Omar Mateen left us in. Let us use this as an opportunity to spark conversations about positive social change, and as an opportunity to come together as Americans and follow the things we stand for.
What happened to these innocent lives is unforgivable, and nothing will take away the pain of the friends and families of the men and women who are gone, and I am truly sorry. I cannot imagine the pain they are enduring. But, in honor of the ones we lost, let's fight for them. Let's use our voices that they were so wrongfully stripped of. Let's show ISIS, homophobic men and women, and all those who doubt the strength of America that we stand for peace and for equality -- we are not backing down.
I am not going to preach about gun laws because I am not properly educated enough on either side to make a proper argument, but what I am going to advocate for is the opening of minds. If you or someone you know is struggling to understand how somebody lives, the decisions they make, or the person they love, put yourself in the shoes of the Lord: the one who loves every single creation unconditionally and welcomes them with open arms. There is never going to be endless acceptance of the people around us -- though that would be amazing. But, there can be endless love; and from love stems peace and the ability for us, as a country, to stand strong.
We must not allow this tragedy to bring our country down in arguments over gun laws and race superiority. Crumbling in arguments with one another and crippling from fear will only let this man, and every terrorist or person of hate, win. Let us grow and thrive. Let us be America: the home of the brave, because of the ones who gave their lives...especially the ones from Orlando.
God Bless the USA.
