Question of the Month: THOUGHTS ABOUT ORLANDO SHOOTING?

In light of the recent tragedy in Orlando, my heart has been and continues to remain heavy as I am sure many feel the same sensation. This is further confirmation of the spiraling costs of violence and the untold unbearable grief of family members of the victims. Let us pray that the good Lord rest the souls of all the slain victims in eternal peace, provide full and quick recovery to the injured and give strength to the family members. Let us know that we as a community and nation can move forward in their absence.

How will we react to this? I agree with President Obama’s comments, “In the face of hate and violence we will respond with love.” These are our American values, and this tragedy will not divide us but bring us together as a resilient people irrespective of our faith, race and beliefs. He also pointed that the easy access to assault weapons is something that we must urgently address, noting NO action regarding guns is also a decision. I do not get what these weapons are doing on our streets, which are not the front line of a war zone.

Finally – it is important that our response does not fuel more hatred, which will perpetrate more violence. The radicalization of many young people is the real challenge – here and everywhere else in the world. This needs to be urgently addressed and strategies put in place to get them help and for us to fully understand why the radicals hate so much! Where did we fail as a society to create such hatred in a small percentage of radicalized young persons?

Please stay in prayer and introspective inquiry as we move forward and learn more about these issues in the days ahead – our domestic and international relations depend on it.y.