Remembering Who We Are In These Dark Times

I have some thoughts about troubled times, the Pulse Terror Attack, and the way forward.

Sunday, in Orlando, crowds of people stood in line to give blood to help the survivors, some of whom were fighting for their lives.

This morning, the gofundme to Support Victims of Pulse Shooting had already raised $1,392, 281 of its two-million-dollar goal.

In the end, after the smoke has cleared and the graves have been filled, this is what matters most, I think.

We must remember who we are.

We are the people spending our precious Sunday afternoon in line to give blood. We are the people sharing resources to help those touched by tragedy.

We are not the politicians, trying to position themselves to get a few more points in the polls.

We are not the two-dimensional beings on social media, using this tragedy to prop up political agenda, be that gun control or access to mental health or a fiercer stance on security.

When tragedy strikes, no matter its origin, we need to stop seeing ourselves, and each other, as gay and straight, black and white, red and blue, rich and poor.

When tragedy strikes, we must stand together as humans.

Cable news channels will sell plenty of advertising this week.

There are many who will capitalize on this tragedy. But there are many more who will be a light in the darkness. There are many more who will give their time, their money, and  their blood.

There are many who are responding to this horrible attack with fear. But there are many more who are responding with love.

In these dark times, it is important to remember and find comfort in the words of Anne Frank, a young girl in hiding from an oppressive government who would eventually take her life.

“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”