Orlando: Please do not do nothing. Here are some suggestions.

June 15, 2016

If you are angry and sad, I am so sorry. I wish you comfort.

But I do not wish for you – or for me – not to be angry or sad. We must be angry and we must be sad. Because our anger and sadness will drive our action. And we cannot have change without action.

Please do not do nothing.

Sending thoughts and prayers for those affected is lovely, but it is not enough.

Here are some small things that you can do RIGHT NOW:

Sign Petitions:
Each petition will take you less than 30 seconds to sign. Sometimes, they work. Signing them is better than not signing them.

1. Lift the ban on gun violence research. (““An average of 32 people are killed by a gun in America every day, and yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can’t even conduct research into the root causes of all forms of gun violence,”)
(Non-Americans: this vast country’s actions affect us all, still worth you signing)

2. Improve background checks to reduce gun violence

3. Ban Military Grade Weapons Now

4. Stop discriminating and screen male blood donors equally:
US: https://www.change.org/p/the-food-and-drug-administration-fda-stop-discriminating-and-screen-male-blood-donors-equally
UK: https://www.change.org/p/uk-uk-government-apply-the-same-regulations-to-all-those-donating-blood-regardless-of-sexuality

(sources: change.org and ultraviolet.org)

Donate money:

Here is where you can donate to help Orlando shooting victims and their families (remember, non-Americans: those hurt but alive often have to pay for their own medical costs):
https://www.gofundme.com/OrlandoUnited

If you have preferred charity that works with oppressed people or victims of crimes, donate to them.

Call out homophobia and racism, however mild:

The roots of such terrible incidents of homophobia and racism (and, while we’re here, misogyny) are in the everyday allowing of it. Not the extreme examples by people you don’t know, but the small drip-drip-drip you’ll hear from people you do, people who probably don’t consider themselves to be homophobic, racist or misogynist.

When somebody calls something “gay” and means it in a derogatory way, as long as your safety isn’t in question, call them out. When somebody makes a generalisation about a specific race (or religion), call them out. When somebody is sexist, call them out.

For a really excellent and articulate explanation of why it’s important to call people out, please read this post by my favourite blogger, Emelia of Trying To Be Good:
http://tryingtobegood.com/ask-emelia/existential-advice/advice-when-is-it-patriarchy-and-when-am-i-being-overly-sensitive

If you are a US citizen, PLEASE take five minutes – you have five minutes! – to write to those in power, to change gun laws.

This is election year! NOW is the time to make a difference. Here’s how:

Your political representatives have the obligation to listen to your voice.

To contact your state senator, visit here to find their email, mailing address and office number. For information on how to reach out to your representative in the House, find their contact information here. To talk with your congressional representative about gun violence, find their complete contact information here.

(via Mashable.com)

Speak up:

(You can find the original post here: https://www.facebook.com/steven.peterson/posts/10153460159111076)

If you’re finding this all very hard, I am so sorry. Please ask for help. Those who know you, love you – and, in your vulnerability, they will love you more. Remember, everybody wants to be of service. If you need help, ask for it.

And, if you can, channel your grief and fury to create change.

Thank you.

Yours in sadness, fury and solidarity,

xxxxxMarsha