June 12, 2016, 2 a.m., Pulse Nightclub
The date and place that will be remembered as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
The city, Orlando Florida.
When I first heard the news of the tragedy, I was in disbelief. Having the privilege to live in such a colorful, accepting city for the five months of my internship, was a great privilege. Never would I expect something like this act of mass terror to occur in this blossoming city. From living in Florida, and working professional entertainment, many of my friends and colleagues are LGBT. I instantly checked into Facebook, like many other Floridians and loved ones of Floridians, to see if my friends that quickly became my family, were marked safe.
As the public was informed, beginning at 2 a.m. and continuing on until 5 a.m., an act of mass terror was carried out by a now mass publicized criminal. Many Americans, by now, are aware of this shooters name, life and his true sense of identity. Since early this morning, people have been gathering a majority of their information from major news networks including CNN, NBC, The Washington Post and Fox News. Through this outlet of news, a majority of political figures are using the horrific event to push their own political platforms and agendas, in the ultimate race to classify and define this situation. And furthermore, push their own campaigns agendas — gun control, suppressing one group's religion and others.
But, what these news outlets and political figures are failing to address are the victims, the bravery of the survivors and the overall strength of the city of Orlando, Florida.
In an effort to help the victims and families of the tragedy, the city of Orlando's website launched two separate campaigns within the first few hours of learning of the attacks.
The City of Orlando, first launched a blood drive campaign sponsored by OneBlood. This campaign was in light of the at least 53 people that were wounded in the attacks. With over three locations, the city of Orlando desperately needed O Negative, O Positive and AB blood types.
The turnout for this campaign was simply astonishing. Lines went on for hours as the residents of Orlando lined up by the thousands in the hope of giving blood that could save lives.
The second campaign #OrlandoUnited is growing both nationally and worldwide, by the minute. Orlando United is a way to volunteer, donate or just simply show support for the victims, survivors and their families, and to stand with the city of Orlando, Florida.
These two acts of resilience were put into place by the city of Orlando on the same day as this mass act of terror. Not because they felt like they had to, but because they wanted to be strong. To be strong for the bright beautiful souls that lost their lives too soon and to continue on their legacy.
The city of Orlando has shown us in the past day that this mass act of terror cannot darken the light in our lives. We, as a people, cannot live in fear. We must give back to the individuals that lost their lives and continue to show others kindness. The stories of the survivors, the ones that carried the wounded from the scene of the terror into the early morning darkness, will be remembered forever.
Yes, we should stay informed through the news and mass media. But, what we should begin to realize through this exposure is that mass terror events like this cannot be classified. These events take away bright lives and souls too soon. Instead of being classified or used as a political platform, these "gone too soon" lives should be celebrated, respected.
This could have happened anywhere. Yes, this is true. But today, it happened in Orlando, Florida. A city that not only is incredibly strong but knows how to come together and stand as one. A city that knows the importance of being you.
We are Orlando, Florida.
