We don’t usually get too serious here. But the events in Orlando this past weekend are weighing heavy on my heart, and it just feels too weird to talk about lipstick or shoes today.
We were all glued to our TV’s in 2012 when a shooter walked into an elementary school and killed 20 innocent children and 6 school employees, in 2013 when the city of Boston was shut down during the manhunt for the marathon bombers, and in 2015 when another gunman killed 14 people in an office building in San Bernardino. These senseless acts, a small fraction of the total number of mass casualty events in the United States, occurred in different cities and had different motives, but they all have one thing in common. Innocent people died.
This is not something I’ve ever commented on publicly, not because I was ashamed or didn’t approve, but because it wasn’t my story to tell. But, with his permission, I want to share a piece of the story today.
Our brother is gay.
This is as much a fact to me as someone saying the sky is blue or the grass is green. It doesn’t need to be pointed out. It just is. Just like the sky is air or grass is a plant, my brother is a human. We don’t say, “I’m going to go have a picnic on the green grass” so why would we say “I’m going to go have a picnic on the green grass with a gay man”. The descriptive labels are unnecessary. My brother is a man, who happens to be gay. So much so, that he never officially “came out of the closet”. He was never in a closet. He never hid who he was.
While he currently lives in NYC, he used to live in Orlando, and frequented the Pulse nightclub that was the site of the deadliest attack on American soil since 9/11. An attack on innocent people that were simply enjoying a Saturday night out with friends, like I’m sure many of us did on Saturday. Except this particular group was targeted based on who they love. When I think of how easily my brother’s name could be listed among the 49 victims of this senseless attack, I am filled with sadness, but mostly anger.
Why is there so much hate in this world? Why is there such a lack of respect that if someone has a different belief system than you, it’s ok to kill them?
The first mass shooting I can recall in my lifetime was Columbine. I was in 7th grade. Shelby was even younger. Growing up in a country where mass shootings have seemingly become the norm, has desensitized my generation from the shock of such a horrific event. Why are we carrying on as if this is ok?
We’ve become accustomed to the standard responses in the media after every terrorist attack. Public figures call for gun reform, more research surrounding mental illness, or you have racist idiots calling for a ban of immigrants entering this country. We all post a photo on social media and say we’re praying for the victims and their families. Lots of talk. And sure, talk is great. Having informed conversations about the extreme issues we as human beings are facing is very important. But it can’t stop with the conversation. We can’t forget about the issues after a week, as we get back to our busy lives, only to bring the conversation back at the next mass shooting we all know will inevitably occur.
People are quick to blame the president for our countries faults, but the president does not have the power to snap his fingers and enact or change laws. This is a democracy. Which by definition is “an organization or situation in which everyone is treated equally and has equal rights”. A government by the people, ruled by a majority. And with the freedom of living in a democracy, comes this price. One person does not have all the power. The responsibility therein lies with us. The people that make up the democracy.
As this is an election year, this is a key time for change in the United States. Regardless of your candidate of choice, I hope that you do one thing. Make a list of the things important to you as a human being and as a free American. Do your homework. Look at the facts. Come to an informed decision. And in November on Election Day, get out there and vote for the candidate you want to represent the country you are a resident of. The candidate that will be in charge of protecting your life from a future mass casualty event.
We all have different opinions. We each have different cause’s that are important to us. And that’s ok. This is America. Land of the free and home of the brave. But we can’t lose sight of the fact, that at the end of the day we are one team. We are one nation.
I am fully aware that this essay is just more talk contributing to the overall conversation. And as I said, while talk is great, it can’t stop there. I’m not sure yet what action I can personally take to advance this yet, but I assure you that I am actively trying to figure that out. I urge you to do the same.
Here’s what I do know though-
Love is love.
That I can’t board a plane with a full bottle of shampoo, but a person who was formally watched by the FBI for terrorism can legally purchase a gun.
That private citizens have zero need for weapons designed with the sole intention of creating mass casualties.
I’d like to end with the below touching tribute video of Anderson Cooper reading the Orlando shooting victims names and sharing a bit about each of them. If you haven’t watched this yet, I encourage you to. It’s hard to watch, but let’s focus on the victims of this terrible tragedy, not the asshole who senselessly killed 49 innocent people.