It is truly a tragedy that we have come to expect acts of hatred and terrorism on a regular occurrence, which is what makes the Las Vegas attack so much more devastating. We have become accustomed to the fear of watching the news for glimpses of the attacker and poring over TV coverage to strategically analyze what the motive could be behind such senseless destruction. We sit in anxious circles and debate what the next “worst mass murder” will be and are tragically provided with more and more ammunition (literally) in cities across the country.
Our current atmosphere is charged with political backlash, disasters both natural and man-made, and the ideology that the only thing equal about our country is the possibility of one of us being involved in such a catastrophe. It’s terrifying.
But we need to take a step back from all the bigger issues and make this an introspective time. Time cannot heal all the wounds of these disastrous proportions. But by assessing how we can be part of the solution, it helps put the problems into perspective (at least we hope). It may appear that issues of this magnitude won’t benefit from one more person’s opinion, but that is exactly where our mentality needs to change.
We have the power to seek restitution in our local governments, which are small but mighty. We can band together and erect change if we use our voices to speak up instead of cowering and waiting for the change to come on its own accord. We are powerful. We are strong. We are united, even if it takes the devastation of tragedy to reaffirm it.
The late Tom Petty sang in one of his most famous songs, “But I won’t back down/No, I’ll stand my ground/Won’t be turned around/And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down/Gonna stand my ground.” Musical artists have shown that the best music can bring people together and showcase a faith in the deeper meaning of lyrics. Petty’s passing was another recent tragedy, but “I Won’t Back Down” serves as a testament to the anthems we can live by if we stay cognizant of the fact that we collectively can make a difference when we reject the idea of backing down from a fight, no matter how fierce the opponent.
In this current climate of hatred and atrocities of every size, our ambitions to keep fighting and to persevere through the struggles will bring strength to our stars and stripes. We will keep battling, we will stand together, and we will not back down.