As the dust begins to settle in Orlando, we are beginning to see the aftereffects of the carnage.

People are scared. Some are fearful for their own lives while others are afraid that their loved ones are dead or will die from their wounds. It's horrific.

Miles away, a different sort of horror is happening: America's reaction. Sure, there have been plenty of Facebook posts of support, anger, fear, and love. And there have been plenty of Americans who have done whatever we can to help (not that there's much for us to do). But for every supportive, loving, kind, and helpful person out there, there are at least three more in their wake, pushing for some sort of personal agenda.

Suddenly, the reports aren't about the attacks anymore. They're about gun control, terrorism, ISIS the presidential candidates' reactions--the list goes on and on.

Instead of focusing on the lives that were lost or nearly lost, we are all acting as individuals to look for the solution to the problem that makes us most comfortable. These polarizing political statements are pulling us apart in a time when our country needs to work together. Though it may be tempting to blame the other side, take a look at yourself before you start pointing fingers. As an independent who tries to stay up-to-date on both parties, I can tell you that both are guilty of this.

And you now what? I get it. Though our country is fractured, we are united in one thing: we are outraged. Those 49 people didn't deserve to die that night. We want to see an end to these attacks. I understand wanting to call our government to action; I want to do the exact same thing.

But when we're all shouting into the void with our strongly-worded Facebook posts, no one is heard. We don't move forward; we only increase the space between both sides.

What we need to do right now is listen to each other. If you see a friend post on Facebook about how their views on gun control relate to the tragedy from this weekend, read it. If you stumble across the video of Tomi Lahren berating President Obama for not understanding radical Islam, watch it. When you're done, read this article by Jennifer Williams (a convert Muslim) about Ramadan, the Islamic holy month that Tomi mentions. Educate yourself as much as you can. Listen to what both sides are saying because they're saying the same thing: "We don't want this to happen again."

At the end of the day, the Orlando Shooting was a tragedy, no matter how you spin it. Life lost at the hands of another is never anything less. Don't allow political stances to lessen the gravity of the situation. It's dishonorable and disrespectful to those involved in the tragedy.

No matter where you stand in the political abyss, remember this: we are one. Our hearts broke together when we heard the news, and we beat as one as we fervently search for the answer that will stop this injustice for good. Don't let party lines keep us from healing together, too.

"We rise and fall and light from dying embers,
remembrances that hope and love last longer
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
cannot be killed or swept aside."