It seems to have become a common series of events. A mass shooting happens, people react on social media, hashtags begin to trend, arguments ensue over gun control, and soon everyone forgets. It's a series of events that are too common. People being killed in mass amounts isn't something that should arise a nonchalant response in anyone. Yet, I'm worried that will soon be the case. From Charleston to Paris to Orlando, this kind of horror needs to stop.

I'm speaking of course about the recent shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. It took place during the bris of a set of twins belonging to a gay couple. The gunman told police he "wanted all Jews to die." This was an extreme and disturbing display of antisemitism that left eleven people dead. The assailant, Robert D. Bowers, has been indicted on 44 criminal counts. This has become the deadliest attack against Jewish people in United States history.

So far, the series of events seems to be going as expected. People reacted predictably on social media. I tried to do them one better by sharing a GoFundMe page created to benefit the survivors and the victims' families. Donations will be sent directly to the Tree of Life Congregation. I figured it was better than posting the typical "thoughts and prayers" response. I understand that most people who post messages like that have good intentions. But the truth is, that helps nobody.

It also doesn't help anyone to encourage an exclusionary mentality. There were protesters who felt President Trump shouldn't be welcome in Pittsburgh. The President wanted to show up to pay his respects. People criticize the President for not being presidential. Then when he wants to do something presidential, they try to stop him. It makes no sense to me.

I respect people's right to protest, but I think it shows a real lack of self-awareness to protest such a thing. The response to unkindness should not be more unkindness. Don't we all want change for the better? How do we expect to get anywhere by shutting someone out? I don't care who he is or what he's done. All that the protesters were doing was putting more negative energy into the universe.

I'm not unaware that mass killings have been happening far too often these days. I think the spike in such attacks has a lot to do with the current political climate. There is an intense frustration among people for several reasons. Some don't want to listen to those with an opinion different from their own. They would rather live in an echo chamber. These people cut friends and family out of their life because they share opposing political views. People are judged by their politics much harsher these days. It has become the key to whether or not you're a good person according to some. The point is, this kind of judgment leads to inevitable isolation. And if you're isolated for much of the time, that isn't good for your mental health.

Another mistake some people make is politicizing these attacks. Fighting over whether the issue is gun control or mental health will not solve the problem. I think the problem isn't so black and white. I think both statements can be true at once. The problem is both gun control and mental health. I think there needs to be stricter gun laws, but I think people are deluded if they assume that will solve the apparent shooting epidemic. People break laws all the time. Just like people smuggle illegal drugs into the country, they will do the same with weapons.

I also think we need to pay attention to the way we treat mental health as a society. I think the stigma surrounding mental health is unacceptable. People should not be encouraged to keep their issues bottled up. They should not be shamed for seeking help via a therapist or medication. It's a move that should be respected and treated with care. I think those who want to purchase a gun should be required to undergo a psychological evaluation prior to purchasing. They should also have to undergo routine psychological evaluations throughout the duration of their ownership of the gun. I don't think this is too much to ask. I think this will create stricter gun laws and place a much needed focus on mental health.

The bottom line is, we need to start respecting each other more. We can't put people in boxes based on things like race, religion, gender, or sexuality. We can't cut people out of our lives just because they disagree with us. We can't shame those who are mentally ill and want to seek help. Tragic times like this call for all of us to wake up. We need to pay attention to the way we treat those in our lives. Even the smallest sign of respect and care could cause this common series of events to become not so common after all.