Sadness, then pride
Re “‘An act of terror and an act of hate,’ ” June 13
I am part of the LGBT community; which of those letters I associate with does not matter. Sunday morning’s massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., opened my now-watery eyes to a few things.
After the shooting, I realized the magnitude to which our community’s members are so lovingly intertwined. The “that could’ve been me, a close friend or family member” thought would not seem to pass. The hurt I felt, however, proved those victims are family.
On Sunday I bought a rainbow flag to fly for the first time as the smallest of gestures for those whose lives were taken. I’ve never felt such pride in being a part of this community.
On Sunday I was given a new level of appreciation for our loving allies. They, in many ways, are just as much a part of the movement for widespread equality.
On Sunday we cried. On Sunday we mourned. On Sunday we were angry.
Today and tomorrow, we will continue to stand together, speak out and advance a loving movement that no amount of hate can tear down. Daniel Cowell Monrovia
This tragic massacre is an act of domestic terrorism, not Islamic terrorism. It was a uniquely American act — a mass murder by an American citizen, a man born and educated in America.
It will be said that it was Islamic State-inspired because the killer, one individual, pledged allegiance to the terrorist group. He could have just as easily been inspired by any number of America’s religious or political organizations that espouse bigotry.
America cultivates discrimination very well on its own without outside help. Blaming this horrific tragedy on Islamic State is a convenient excuse that group will be only too happy to accept. But the sad truth is, there are many individuals who share those same intolerant views, own the lethal weaponry and possess the hatred to commit this act.
We need to look inward, not outward. Janet Haislip
Redlands
The tragedy of the Orlando massacre is made worse by the reality that our nation seemingly has no will to do anything about it. There is no lack of ignorant, mentally unstable people in this world and there is no lack of armaments. We must address both to bring an end to this madness.
We too often demonize those who are different from us. Ignorance, hate and mental illness know no boundaries. People who are easily influenced by extremist ideologies are more numerous than we care to admit and exist in every nation, religion, political persuasion, gender, race and sexual orientation.
We need parents and leaders not only to condemn the violence but also to challenge the underlying ideologies that promote hate. We also need common-sense gun control.
But don’t count on members of Congress putting aside their own ideological differences to do anything. It’s up to us to change hearts and minds. Stephen Newcomer
West Hollywood