The Safety // Pride

Early on the morning of June 12th, Omar Mateen gunned down over a hundred individuals in an Orlando nightclub. (Around 50 dead and slightly over 50 injured.) June 12th now marks the 2nd largest terror attack on the United States, the first being 9/11. During the attacks, Mateen called authorities in order to pledge allegiance to ISIS. My heart breaks for the victims and their families.

There are 3 very important topics that need to be discussed following these events.

Firstly,

Please do not turn this attack into ammunition against Muslims or any other religious or ethnic group. Mateen was radicalized and violent. Mateen acted independently with inspiration from ISIS. The actions of one individual can not and should not define how you view and entire race or religion. (Despite what Donald Trump might be telling you.)  Please keep your heart open and provide support to your neighbors of all faiths, religions, genders, sexualities, or any other arbitrary fact dividing us. We are one mankind.

Secondly, 

Omar Mateen purchased his weapons through legal channels just days before the attacks. In 2013, he was under investigation for potential ties to terror groups and other radicalized individuals. The charges were dismissed. For years, he abused his ex-wife until her family helped her purchase an emergency flight away from him. She abandoned all of her belongings and pressed charges.

This man was legally able to walk into a gun store and purchase assault grade weaponry. Something about that just doesn't check out with me.

I get it, talking about gun control is controversial. A lot of people would prefer to shy away from the issue and wait from the problems to just go away.

 Problems don't just disappear.

Policy reform is important. I strongly believe that assault riffles are unnecessary. I can't think of a single reason that I, or anyone I know, would ever need to carry one. Plenty of countries function with strong gun regulations. Australia, which has a complete gun ban, has substantially lower crime and murder rates than the United States. (More info here.)

If you too believe that there should be stricter gun laws here in the US check out this petition and also educate yourself on the topic. I'll provide more resources for all topics discussed at the end of this post.

Thirdly,

This was a hate crime against the LGBT+ community. Pulse, the nightclub, was a gay bar. Mateen was a proclaimed homophobe. Despite his horrific actions, many Americans are rallying behind him because of his targets.

Saying that the 'queers deserved this' is supporting and validating Mateens actions. It is supporting actions that are encouraged by ISIS.

Personally, I believe that the murders of dozens of people of any type are wrong and sick.

The way that someone identifies does not make them any less of a human being. Even if you disagree with someone's lifestyle I hope we can all agree that they deserve the right to live that life.

I am disgusted by the amount of posts I have seen supporting this horrific attack.

Please support the families in this difficult time by showing compassion for their fallen children, siblings, spouses, and friends. Spread love and kindnesss instead of propagating the violence.

Finally,

I may not be the praying type, but I urge those of you who are to pray for healing. The rest, myself included, I urge to send positive energy and thoughts straight to Orlando.

Note: Blood donations are always important in saving lives. Hit up your local blood bank and share a bag.

Resources:
-Shooting-
   http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-nightclub-shooting/
   http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooter-omar-mateen/
   http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/06/12/shooting-orlando-club/85785254/
   http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-orlando-shooting-pulse-nightclub-20160612-story.html
-Race Relations-
   http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/12/queer-muslims-mourning-orlando-nightclub-shooting
   http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/679223/Donald-Trump-Orlando-shooting-Islam-terrorism-ISIS-Islamic-State (The fact that there are so many American's that agree with Trump's rhetoric on Muslim Americans among with so many other things sickens me.)
   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/qasim-rashid/16-ways-you-can-support-a_b_8901854.html
-Gun Control-
   http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-policy-summary/
   http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/06/12/gun-control-debates-countries-mass-shootings/85805146/
-Queer Safety//Hate Crimes-
   http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/06/12/pulse-more-than-just-another-gay-club/85785762/
   http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/obama-pride-month-proclamation-gay-bisexual-men-and-transgender-women-0
   http://www.civilrights.org/publications/hatecrimes/lgbt.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

This Saturday, June 18th, Springfield will be having their annual pride march. If you are in the region, please try to attend. Together, let's spread love.

https://www.facebook.com/events/945442875554941/956223514476877/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1465758861927511