Over the past few weeks there have been many unfortunate incidents, from the Orlando shooting to the attack in Istanbul. Whenever any incidents of this sorts occurs the media and social media beings spreading the word to pray for that incident and the people that were hurt as a result. However, we only pray for the incidents that touch close to home or are publicized in the media. Why aren’t we praying for every country in this world who is living through a hard time? Why aren’t we praying for the people that are dying all over the world? Why aren’t we praying for the countries that are battling day to day to stay alive? Why are we only praying for certain people? Why aren’t we praying for countries like Mexico who are experiencing some very difficult times?

I pride myself in my Mexican heritage and because of my heritage I am mourning for all that is occurring in Mexico. I am mourning because of the lack of attention and importance that the media is demonstrating. I am mourning because my Mexican brothers and sisters cannot protest without being humiliated, murdered, and intimidated. I am mourning because 43 students disappeared in 2014 and we still don’t know what happened to them. I am mourning with Oaxaca and every other corner in Mexico that is being intimated by its own government.

So much is happening in a country that we border with and yet media outlets chose to ignore what is happening and focus on only that which they believe affects us. But the reality is that what happens in Mexico and every other country in this world must concern us because this is the world that we will be passing on to the future generations. Do we want to pass on a world full of peace or a world where saying the wrong thing can get you killed? I’d like to think that we would all prefer to leave our future generations in a world where they feel safe and are safe.

I can’t quite understand how everyone can turn a blind eye to a country that is suffering so much. Just because this disgrace isn’t happening in the U.S. doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening. Perhaps there isn’t much we can do being so far away, but we can at least show solidarity and demonstrate that we care for everyone who is suffering regardless if they are or aren’t in our proximity. We need to stop praying solely for the incidents that appear in the media and start praying for everyone in this world who is suffering. It is time that we pray for each other and stop turning a blind eye to everything else that doesn’t affect us.