“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~
Just recently, arguably one of the largest massacres in American history took place in Orlando, Florida. This isn't news to you. It can't possibly be.
Just recently, an American soldier died in the Middle East. I'll bet that's news to you.
Just today, an Middle Easterner was killed at the hands of an American soldier. I'm guessing that's also news to you.
And still, just today, somewhere in America.....in fact, probably somewhere nearly everywhere on the planet, someone was killed by a handgun or assault rifle. And let's face it. We've become so calloused to the whole idea, that's not even on the radar as news.
For a couple days now, I've been trying to come to grips with why all these things are happening. The truth is, I many never know. Perhaps, it's just human nature to kill or be killed; to destroy or be destroyed. Perhaps it's our nature to judge and shut out understanding. Perhaps we're just really a race of hate. But I don't think so.
I recently got schooled by some people I respect on, of all places, Facebook, about why it's important we remember this most recent massacre took place in a Gay night club as opposed to just a night club. It's important we understand this was a pointed and bigoted attack on a particular "group" of people. I get it. I do.
As a writer, I've always felt my "job" was twofold; write for joy and make people think. Or at least try to make them think. It's not always easy. But when it comes to things like war, and killing, and gun control, gun control laws, Second Amendment issues, and hatred, I feel like I'm always falling short of making my point. You know, because my point is important. ;-)
So, I'll try once again. I get that in our current state of consciousness, things like borders, gun ownership, hatred, bigotry, misunderstanding, and war are all part of our world view. I ache for the people that were killed in Orlando.......or Libya, or Iraq, or wherever. And I wouldn't dream of denying someone their right to own a gun in America. In fact, I wouldn't deny anyone's right to almost anything. You want to wage war, wield a gun, hate Gays, Blacks, Christians or Muslims, go right ahead. It's your right. It makes you ignorant, in my opinion, but it's your right nonetheless and you're the one that has to live with yourself.
Here's where I get stuck explaining myself. I'm completely anti-war. Having said that, I get that in our current human state, we feel it's necessary to protect "our" interests. And speaking of "ours," I'm also anti-border. I'm not anti-American, but our ignorance is pushing me to the brink. That said, I get that under our current human state, borders are necessary economically and politically, and they make us feel safer. Look, I was the first to jump on the bandwagon for hunting down the ruthless terrorists after 9/11. But really, what have we accomplished since then? Not much more than adding to an already ridiculous death toll. I have no idea how many innocent civilians have been killed while we wage revenge.
What it really boils down to for me is metaphysics, and while at least one of you will call me a dope-smoking hippie, even Jesus himself got this concept. We do reap what we sow. But it's not what you think. What really causes all this war, killing, and hatred is a lack of understanding. A lack of tolerance. And if you want to keep feeding the war machine, or keep feeling the need to have a gun, then by all means buy one. Metaphysically, that sends the message you'll need it. Somewhere, someone, somehow, has to set an example by saying, "You know what? I'll put down my gun. I want to sit down at the table and talk to you. Do you feel cheated? Do you feel like our foreign policy is unfair? Are you scared of gay people or black people? Do you think an immigrant is going to take your job? Ok, I get it. But I think we can work that out. Let's do it without violence of any kind."
It's not an easy issue for me. But I remember every day that I'm American strictly by virtue of the fact I was born here. Every Iraqi or Iranian or Mexican or whatever is what they are for the same reason. It's ignorant and short-sighted to think we all somehow want something different. My guess is every person in every nation, be they white, black, gay, muslim, jew, ad infinitum, just wants to be understood and wants what's best for their families. Do you think all Muslims want to kill Americans? Even if that were true, which it isn't, you have to ask yourself why. Could it be we're selfish and just won't listen?
Close your Bible, your Quran, or whatever other book it is that you feel justifies your hate in the name of your deity, and open your heart. And while I get that we're basically mammals with a biological need for survival, I don't think we have to kill each other to accomplish that. In fact, I believe quite the opposite. If we don't all come to the table and begin understanding our fears, we won't last long enough as a species for it to matter.
I'm not against you owning a gun. I just want a world where the need for guns doesn't exist. And how does that happen?
Someone has to put theirs down first.
