Parkland: We Hear You
Valentine’s Day, a warm, fulfilling time when lovers, friends, and families express their gratitude with authentic gifts and greetings. Yet this day, known to be full of love and tenderness, is also a day that received a prodigious deal of animosity and malicious hate crimes. On February 14, 2018, seventeen innocent lives were ferociously taken from our world at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Breaking America’s heart, yet again, the nation sent out it’s thoughts and prayers to all the victims affected by this despicable attack. Resulting in 17 deceased, 17 wounded, two fatalities generated by suicide after the event’s one year anniversary, and hundreds left with the lingering trauma and agony brought by gun violence, the MSD attack has become one of the deadliest school shootings in our nation’s history.
Since then, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas have become activists and are leading the #NeverAgain Movement and political action committee that advocates stricter gun laws to prevent gun violence. One of these students is an acquaintance of mine, wishing to remain unnamed, he has used his unfortunate experience and survivor’s guilt as motivation to practice his right to our First Amendment on an uninvited, but significant platform. “People don’t understand, if you haven’t experienced something like it, you won’t understand. The pain, the misery, the massive rise of mental health concerns after witnessing and surviving something like this. I will do anything now to help make sure you never have to.” Said survivor.
The anniversary of a traumatic event can bring triggering memories and emotions making it difficult to get through the day. Yesterday was rough, but here you are, you made it, you are so strong. And we are stronger together. To get through it, let us allow ourselves to use this day and everyday to share more love where it’s needed. To support our friends that are suffering with their mental health and remind them that we love them. Let us allow ourselves to ask for help when we need it with no shame. Parkland, we hear you and we’re here for you. We will love and support you through every battle, so one will never again have to understand what it's like.
Photo Curtesy of @msdparkland17. Seventeen beautiful souls tragically lost. Know their faces.