I've been thinking, almost non-stop for four days, about my reaction to the tragic shooting in Orlando. I've been considering the viewpoints, the reactions, my background, and my feelings as they relate to this situation and those like it. I am not a social scientist, a policy writer, a member of the NRA, or a leader in the LGBTQ community. I am not a mental health professional, a member of either major political party, or an avid sport shooter.
I am a man. I am a husband. I am a father. I have my own strengths and weaknesses, and I have secrets that are private and sincere. I have beliefs and background and education. Every day I work hard at my run of the mill, wonderful, moderately paying job to make sure my kids can eat a good, middle class meal and wear the nicer second hand clothes. In short, I am a person, like all of you, doing my best to ensure that the future is bright, strong, stable, and safe for me and my family.
It is from this common, unextraordinary viewpoint that I write and it is my hope that my run of the mill days nights and hopes and dreams and thoughts may resonate with you.
What happened in Orlando this weekend was an unforgivable tragedy. Fifty people, yes fifty, lost their precious lives without warning and without the opportunity to send love to those they held so dear. Forty nine of these brothers and sisters of ours identified as LGBTQ and it is clear that they were targeted because of this. They were gunned down by a violent man wielding an assault weapon and their lights were snuffed for now and forever.
As I've followed the media and social media reaction to this event, it seems that there are three principle reactions: 1. This Muslim man brought terror to our shores as a radical interpreter of ancient scripture. 2. This was an act of hate directed toward an already compromised and historically abused community. 3. We are seeing the return of the weapon of mass destruction and it is small and automatic and either should be or never should be banned, depending on your personal views. The interesting thing is that rarely does an article, post, speech, or tirade address more than one of these items.
Where I might differ from most is that I think that all three of these must be considered in order to understand, empathize, and take action for the future. In contrast, I also believe that these kinds of problems cannot be solved without addressing all of them in their own sphere. Unfortunately, I do not what the solutions must be. What I do know is that everything we have tried up to this point has failed and that we, as a nation and as a people, are walking the tightrope between liberty and security in an unprecedented and ultimately precarious way. One slip in either direction and we run the risk of losing either or both.
Because of this, we would be wise to view this as a time to wake up, pay attention, and temporarily set aside every single one of our previously held ideas on these subjects so that we can prepare our minds for finding facts and solutions. It is time to arm ourselves with knowledge instead of holding fast to unproven tradition. It is time to open our eyes instead of closing our minds and see what is before us as it really is. It is the moment to go forward in strength and in power to make change where change is needed most and to embrace it without qualification.
What I offer is not a proscribed plan of action, but merely my thoughts on the principles that can lead us as we feel our way through this maze. With that in mind, here are the principles I desperately hope and pray will become part of your plan of action. I know that I will anxiously work to make them part of mine.
1. We cannot control others. We cannot control individuals, groups, religions, or ideas and WE SHOULD NOT attempt to do so. Just as we value our ability to choose from day to day, so we must allow others to do the same even if their choices will lead to ill. We should be alert and aware and proactive, but we cannot take control of others; it is impossible.
2. We must value human life over fear of tyranny. I was raised in a home where the right to bear arms was paramount among all sacred rights granted by our constitution. These many decades later, I still see the wisdom. However, we are now paying for that reason with the blood of our brothers and sisters because of the world in which we live. I cannot ask 16, 23, or 49 people at a time to continue to defend an absurd and archaic point of view with their lives. My rights are not and cannot be more important than their lives.
3. We must show love to one another. We need to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need comfort and love one another every single day of our lives. We must not allow fear or discomfort or scripture or dogma or creed or tradition to keep us from loving one another. We do not need to agree on anything, and love does not equal endorsement. Love is a special, unique ability to open your kind heart to another and give them a sincere, honest piece of yourself that is free from judgement. Don't judge, just love. We must value each individual life as our own and recognize it as precious and worthy of our time and heart.
I am a man. I am a husband. I am a father. I have my own strengths and weaknesses, and I have secrets that are private and sincere. I have beliefs and background and education. Every day I work hard at my run of the mill, wonderful, moderately paying job to make sure my kids can eat a good, middle class meal and wear the nicer second hand clothes. In short, I am a person, like all of you, doing my best to ensure that the future is bright, strong, stable, and safe for me and my family.
It is from this common, unextraordinary viewpoint that I write and it is my hope that my run of the mill days nights and hopes and dreams and thoughts may resonate with you.
What happened in Orlando this weekend was an unforgivable tragedy. Fifty people, yes fifty, lost their precious lives without warning and without the opportunity to send love to those they held so dear. Forty nine of these brothers and sisters of ours identified as LGBTQ and it is clear that they were targeted because of this. They were gunned down by a violent man wielding an assault weapon and their lights were snuffed for now and forever.
As I've followed the media and social media reaction to this event, it seems that there are three principle reactions: 1. This Muslim man brought terror to our shores as a radical interpreter of ancient scripture. 2. This was an act of hate directed toward an already compromised and historically abused community. 3. We are seeing the return of the weapon of mass destruction and it is small and automatic and either should be or never should be banned, depending on your personal views. The interesting thing is that rarely does an article, post, speech, or tirade address more than one of these items.
Where I might differ from most is that I think that all three of these must be considered in order to understand, empathize, and take action for the future. In contrast, I also believe that these kinds of problems cannot be solved without addressing all of them in their own sphere. Unfortunately, I do not what the solutions must be. What I do know is that everything we have tried up to this point has failed and that we, as a nation and as a people, are walking the tightrope between liberty and security in an unprecedented and ultimately precarious way. One slip in either direction and we run the risk of losing either or both.
Because of this, we would be wise to view this as a time to wake up, pay attention, and temporarily set aside every single one of our previously held ideas on these subjects so that we can prepare our minds for finding facts and solutions. It is time to arm ourselves with knowledge instead of holding fast to unproven tradition. It is time to open our eyes instead of closing our minds and see what is before us as it really is. It is the moment to go forward in strength and in power to make change where change is needed most and to embrace it without qualification.
What I offer is not a proscribed plan of action, but merely my thoughts on the principles that can lead us as we feel our way through this maze. With that in mind, here are the principles I desperately hope and pray will become part of your plan of action. I know that I will anxiously work to make them part of mine.
1. We cannot control others. We cannot control individuals, groups, religions, or ideas and WE SHOULD NOT attempt to do so. Just as we value our ability to choose from day to day, so we must allow others to do the same even if their choices will lead to ill. We should be alert and aware and proactive, but we cannot take control of others; it is impossible.
2. We must value human life over fear of tyranny. I was raised in a home where the right to bear arms was paramount among all sacred rights granted by our constitution. These many decades later, I still see the wisdom. However, we are now paying for that reason with the blood of our brothers and sisters because of the world in which we live. I cannot ask 16, 23, or 49 people at a time to continue to defend an absurd and archaic point of view with their lives. My rights are not and cannot be more important than their lives.
3. We must show love to one another. We need to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need comfort and love one another every single day of our lives. We must not allow fear or discomfort or scripture or dogma or creed or tradition to keep us from loving one another. We do not need to agree on anything, and love does not equal endorsement. Love is a special, unique ability to open your kind heart to another and give them a sincere, honest piece of yourself that is free from judgement. Don't judge, just love. We must value each individual life as our own and recognize it as precious and worthy of our time and heart.
4. Be willing to step forward for the things that are important to you instead of fighting with those who contradict you. Step forward in love, in peace, and with gentleness. Find the work that you can do and do it now. QUIT FIGHTING AND START SERVING. Now. Stop worrying about where people defecate--seriously people, it's poop--and start worrying about whether or not you can make a difference for good in their lives.
5. YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS but you can't do them if you're selfish and afraid. Don't be selfish with your time. Don't be afraid of people who are different than you. Don't be selfish with your money. Don't be afraid of losing an argument. Don't be selfish with your talents. Don't be afraid of being uncomfortable sometimes. We don't grow in our comfort and we all need to grow as soon as possible.
Like I said, I'm just a regular guy, but the world needs to be ready for my children and I will not fail them. Let's not fail them together. Now.
