Orlando Shooting: What Is Our World Coming to?

As you probably already know, earlier today a mass casualty shooting occurred in a club in Orlando. So far 50 people are confirmed dead and 53 injured. The shooter came from inside the club, Pulse- one of the biggest nightclubs in Orlando, and was shot dead by police. This is believed to be some sort of terrorist attack, most likely from ISIS, but it was not confirmed. Although, there is strong belief that the shooter (Omar Mateen) was anti-gay and did not agree with the LGBT community which explains his actions in Pulse, a gay club. His father has said that his son become very angry when he saw two men kissing in Miami recently. It has been described as the "worst US shooting in 25 years" on the BBC News website. The scene is horrific.

I have watched a couple of eye-witness videos and I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like. As a UK resident I am so very pleased and grateful to say that I have never been in a situation like this at all because guns are illegal in my country. There was one video of someone filming from their car as the police and Omar Mateen fired shots back and forth. The sound was deafeningly loud and probably even more so in real life. I can honestly say it sent chills down my spine. It is truly horrifying. One witness described it as a 'scene from a horror movie'.

It must be terrifying hearing those gun shots so early in the morning. As of now, police haven't confirmed that Omar Mateen was the only shooter present today. I'm sure everyone is anxiously waiting for more news on this.

This brings so much attention to the gun law in America. I think it is truly wrong to allow guns to be sold and bought in America because it causes so many problems and situations. Many innocent people have died because of this allowance. I understand that there may not be much that can be done about the law because it would be nearly impossible to control the trade of guns when so many people already have them. However, it doesn't mean that nothing can be done.

It also raised a lot of awareness for the LGBT community as a gay nightclub was involved. It saddens be so deeply that people still hate on this loving community who mean no harm. I am sure you have seen the hashtag on twitter #LoveIsLove and it is completely true. Love is love and there is no way of preventing that or changing that. It is what makes us who we are and without it we are no one. No matter who or what you love everyone deserves to be respected that they choose to express this. I know and have met many people who are gay or lesbian or bisexual and have come across a transgender. Do you know what I see when I look at them? A human being. Someone like me. They are no different to people I see everyday of my life. I can't even begin to think of why anybody would be against someone being a human being. It really frustrates me how people of this day and age can still think like this. I don't just mean sexual orientation but race, nationality, religion, looks, clothes, speech...the list is endless. Sometimes we don't realise it, but most people judge others daily. Even if you are behind a screen dragging someone on Twitter or posting a comment on someone's selfie on Instagram. It is the same thing as doing it in real life, face to face. That would probably be a completely different situation. I am not trying to be a hypocrite here because I admit I do this too. I do judge people's opinions and actions and gossip about it with my friends even though I mean no harm. Everyone is guilty of it in their lifetime. But taking it to the next level is what really angers me. Of course, the shooting situation is a very extreme level but it is still the same thing: attacking a group of people for being who they are.

Prejudice is a very broad  problem that is not easy to handle and control. But it isn't unstoppable.

I don't know about your school, but my school are very strongly for equality and they teach us a lot about respecting each other and even have a respect for all policy. Last year we had Ian McKellen (a.k.a Gandalf) come in and talk about being openly gay. He taught us a lot and told us a few experiences about being discriminated for who  he is. I think this is such an important thing to teach children in schools and allow them to open up their eyes and see how harsh the subject is and influence them to not follow the dark road down discrimination and hatred. Some people have no idea how much power children and teenagers and young adults can have over the world and the way we see it. Our generation is the future and we need to guide them properly. Together.

This nearly turned into a rant but I saved myself from letting my passionate anger roam widely into this post! I am absolutely disgusted by the events from today and I am really really hopeful that the world is not coming to destruction. It is awful to see events like this growing up and to see the real world and how it changes.
My heart is with those affected today and everyone from past and future attacks

All my love
Anna x