I received the heartbreaking news about the tragedy in Orlando in fragmented pieces: a Facebook headline, a news segment on TV, and conversations with friends. Yet, I found myself struggling to grasp the full scope of it all.
This feeling was not new; I had similar experiences when hearing about the devastating events in Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, and Virginia Tech. Perhaps it’s a form of self-preservation, a way for my mind to shield itself from overwhelming reality. Whatever the reason, the weight of this tragedy eventually hit me like a tidal wave, rendering me momentarily speechless. But still, I don’t understand. I just can’t wrap my head around it.
I can’t fathom how people harbor such intense hatred. I can’t comprehend how, in the aftermath of shootings at nightclubs, schools, and movie theaters, some choose to amplify hateful rhetoric instead of seeking resolution. I can’t grasp our collective complacency. How is it that we, as a society, fail to demand change? I don’t understand how tragedies are often leveraged to either propagate hate or to ignore the issue entirely. And most importantly, I don’t understand why our pleas for change seem to fall on deaf ears.
The truth is, I don’t need to understand to feel angry, sad, and utterly exhausted by it all. I don’t need to understand to recognize that action is necessary. I don’t need to comprehend the apathy of others to advocate for change.
Here’s what I do know: Every time a parent loses a child to gun violence—whether that child is a young student or an adult—it resonates within us all. For this reason, gun control is a critical issue for parents everywhere. I want my children to grow up in a world free from the fear of violence, whether they’re out dancing, embracing their loved ones, or simply enjoying dinner. I refuse to accept a reality where anyone has to live in fear of expressing themselves.
I understand that the Second Amendment was never intended to protect access to assault weapons. While debates can rage on endlessly, lives continue to be lost. Silence has become a dangerous weapon, and our failure to advocate for sensible gun control has led to the tragic loss of 49 lives in a single act of hate. These were individuals with dreams, families, and daily struggles—people like you and me, simply striving to find joy in this world.
So, no, I don’t understand hatred. But I don’t need to comprehend it to recognize that it does not define us. I know we are stronger than the darkness that threatens to engulf us. There are far more individuals who choose love over hate, who extend a helping hand rather than inflict pain.
While the world can often feel chaotic and unjust, I am aware that understanding is not a prerequisite for action. I can still strive to make our world a safer and more hopeful place. I don’t need to understand to declare that enough is enough.
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In summary, while I may not understand the depths of human hate, my resolve to advocate for change remains unwavering. It is imperative that we recognize our shared humanity and commit to creating a world where love prevails over hatred.