I wrote this post over a week ago. I have been so hesitant to hit the send button. I have almost posted it on three different occasions. I’ve been so worried about what people may think or say. A dear friend said to me this weekend “All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Just a timeless quote. And then I remembered what I said here when I introduced my blog. I said I would not hold back. So here goes...
For Your Consideration
Until today I haven't shown any reaction on FB regarding Orlando. I needed a minute to really process it before I posted anything. I wanted to read the names, see the faces of the victims and hear about who they were. I knew how much more real it would become for me. I wanted to feel as much as I could from my place of distance. For this particular post I want to take the gun debate out of it. It goes without saying that there are major changes that need to be made regarding the accessibility of guns and the laws surrounding them. For this post specifically, I am genuinely curious how people feel/perceive radical groups and individuals that resort to terrorism and hate crimes in our world today? I have such a heavy heart for the hate that seems to be multiplying in human nature at a frightening speed.
Living in NYC there isn't a day that goes by that I do not think about terrorism or some kind of mass attack. I have had numerous conversations with many people over the years since 9/11 regarding this. What I have gathered is that unless we are on the heels of one of these heartbreaking tragedies they are often swept under the rug. It feels like it's only a short time after when apathy or even perhaps desensitization sets in. I ask myself why? How is that possible? I think there are a few reasons: If we aren't directly and personally affected it's easier to see it as something far away happening to someone else. I also believe it's partly because many of us, though we acknowledge how horrific it is, don't think it will ever happen to us or someone we love. And finally, I think a great group of us avoid it so we can pretend it's not real. This is the most dangerous reason.
I with a devastated ear have listened to people say that the almost 3000 souls who were murdered on 9/11 weren't that many in the grand scheme of terrorism. I have heard others say the 130 souls murdered in Paris last Fall again was an insignificant amount when you consider all the people in France. Many times I have been told how silly I am for worrying that terrorism or some kind of random assault will strike me or my family. These are conversations that I have often listened to completely aghast at what I am hearing.
Why does the importance and impact of these horrendous acts only go up with the number of people taken from us? When will ANY and EVERY life matter? And when will the preservation of each one of them become a priority? I am very concerned that the general perception of these unspeakable acts of terror happening in our country are equated to getting struck by lightning. The chances are too slim for it to be a real concern. Sadly, minimizing the severity so it doesn't seem so threatening or alarming changes nothing about the reality.
I can't imagine anyone in Orlando expected the atrocity of June 11th. The shock and devastation is unmistakable. I of course understand that we cannot go through life in fear of what might occur. But proceeding with caution and the knowledge that we are facing a great threat in our world today should be acceptable and not regarded as irrational or paranoid. I encourage everyone who can to visit the 9/11 Museum just one time. The true reality of what happened that day is unescapable. The 2,996 faces on the walls resonate in a place that I don't think anyone can ignore. You leave there changed if only a little.
Every time these hate filled massacres take place whether by gun or bomb or airplane we say "We Will Never Forget". So many of us do forget though. We then stand in shock and horrified disbelief when it happens once more. How many more of these shattering attacks have to destroy the lives of so many before we accept the actuality of what we are dealing with? There is an evil growing amongst mankind and it is prevailing. I have seen so much pain, sorrow, and despair outpoured in the last two and a half weeks. Today it still feels fresh and so present. I don't want this unforgivable act of cowardice chalked up to a mere "49 people" down the road. 2,996 is too many, 130 is too many. 49 is too many. 8 is too many. 1 is too many.
It is my great hope that there are a multitude of people out there who feel like I do. I pray we can find a way to bind together no matter our beliefs and somehow heal the brokenness that is our world today. But we must first accept and acknowledge there is a great brokenness to repair.
As always, thank you for reading...