Monday, June 13, 2016

The truth about Orlando

First, to all of my queer, trans, lesbian, gay, and bisexual friends, I just want to take this moment to tell you that you are loved, but the truth is you have not ever been safe. And many of you exist in this constant state of flux because fear and phobia continue to want to render you invisible, worthless, and even worse, expendable. Orlando reminded all of us the truth of those words and sentiments. The attack even reminded us of the deep phobias and fears we hold towards those of Islamic faith. But there is a larger truth.

The truth is we have got to do better, if we want to see tomorrow or 5 years from now, we have to face the facts. Assault rifles, guns and bigger guns are killing people. 50 people walked out of their door for the last time on June 12, 2016. They walked out believing they had another day to try again. Another day to tell someone that they loved them. Another day to have that argument they said they would wait for. Another day to kiss someone. Another day to make love, Another day to accomplish one more goal and make one more dream come true. But a spray of bullets had something else in mind. And those bullets did not shoot themselves. And those bullets did not get purchased at a local store, but they were obtained legally. We search far and wide for weapons of mass destruction, when they are right under our nose.

I am exhausted of death, I am exhausted of love having to hide in a bigger closet. I am exhausted of the religious right confusing hatred for Christianity because they forget that Matthew is an actual book in the Gospel, and it preaches about love being the most important commandment of all. I am exhausted of store front preachers bending historical text from the Scriptures to condemn everyone else except for a chosen few. If one more person speaks on procreation when we have children with no homes or parents because we have overpopulated, or if one more person forgets that the biggest sin committed in Sodom and Gomorrah was the lack of hospitality shown to God's angels, then I am going to scream.

We cannot survive another mass shooting. Our most vulnerable communities are being attacked and gunned down at will. Yet, the 2nd amendment continues to be thrown into the faces of the grieving. America is in need of a time out. We need no more laws because if the owner of assault weapons or guns happens to lose them, he or she only needs to report them stolen and the guns are free to kill whoever and whenever. We need to remember that the 2nd amendment was written when there was no America and no organized law enforcement. And the Constitution is a living and breathing document so stop choking everyone out on the virtues and importance of the 2nd amendment. If other parts of the Constitution had not been changed many of us would still be considered 3/4 of a person, but I digress.

It is time to ask yourself. can we take any more death? Are we waiting for it to stop by our personal space and grab someone who we love and adore? Or can we all simply agree that enough is enough. Because if not, then it is time for me to pack up Maya and my family in Chicago, and move to a country where this human experiment has run its course because I am done.

5 comments:

  1. Thank you. Agreed.Well said, in love and solidarity, Más

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  2. Amazing prose for such agonizing pain. Thank you.

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  3. Amazing prose for such agonizing pain. Thank you.

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  4. Excellent. I'm ready to pack up and go along with you because these United States of America is making me crazy

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  5. "tired of love hiding in a bigger closet..." Damn, you are a writer. #TRUTH!

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