The events in Orlando FL have shocked and effected millions of people across the world. The media is a blaze with justifications of why this occurred: mental health, religion, homophobia, gun control. It is dizzying and disheartening trying to filter all these possible explanations, as I feel (and I am sure others feel) compelled to seek out the true reason. In the wake of horrifying crimes, all we can do is try to understand what we have just witnessed.

As I was leaving work yesterday, I heard crowds in the West Village roaring in unison. In spite of my deep sadness at the immense loss of life at PULSE, all I could feel was strength, unity, and love in the words shouted. I feel deeply disturbed when such killings occur, and they have become rampant in the United States, but violence and hate is a worldwide epidemic.

Although death is inevitable, it is so hard to accept when it occurs in such a wasteful and hateful fashion. These kinds of events need to be discussed and should not be tolerated. Yet, as members of the human race, I feel that we have to be accepting and loving to all living beings. It makes the processing of such events complex and take time.

I hope that we all find the time to reflect and mourn the loss of those who have perished, and find our own resolve to live in a way that can lovingly influence those around us.