What a terrible way to wake up this morning. To all those personally affected by last night’s shooting: I’m sorry and I’m mourning with you.
He didn’t just kill 14 people and victimize a theater full of Batman fans, he terrorized the good people of our nation. Though I’m riddled with anger for what he did to hundreds of thousands of people across America, I am cautious not to allow myself to feel fear.
Do NOT let him win.
Don’t be afraid to live your life. Go to the movies. Go to ball games, concerts, and the mall. Celebrate the life you still have, and love the people around you. Remember, people are inherently good. To be fearful, or to say his name and show his picture is a subtle way of letting him win.
If the media would stop showing his picture and broadcasting his name his power would be greatly diminished. The investigators and interrogators working with him should tell him there’s no news coverage of his sinister act. He wanted the attention and unfortunately he’s getting it. At least we could lead him to believe his plan to gain fame didn’t work, that he didn’t deeply affect the masses, that nobody cares about who he is. I’m sure he’ll go down in history much like McVeigh and the Columbine kids, but he doesn’t deserve such satisfaction to know that.
I wish peace, healing, and eventual closure to the victims families and those who are left to make sense of the horrific sights and sounds of last nights tragedy. Love, forgiveness, and compassion will always be the victor over anger, hatred, and vengeance, even though it’s incredibly difficult to recognize that when you’re completely enveloped in the emotions of a tragedy such as this.
Nick Fener 