The shooting in Orlando was the deadliest attack on American soil since 911. An estimated 50 people died, and many more injured at the hands of a gunman. Media pundits and politicians criticize lax gun regulations, ISIS, and the FBI, while others spout anti-LGBT commentary and call for tighter immigration laws. Donald Trump spewed inflammatory comments about radical Islam advocates, extolling reasons why immigrants "have no place in our society". We can all talk about the shooter's parenting, being an abuser, his mental health, and our horror at what occurred on Sunday. However, the responsibility of what happened does not rest solely on the shooter's head, but the blood of those 50 plus souls lies on all of us.
Look in the Mirror. Acts of terror are intrinsically intertwined with personal biases and intolerance of others' differences; our indifference to things that don't directly affect us; the unwillingness to act on things that matter; not shifting our consciousness; and not demanding change of an antiquated educational system to one that would integrate, as the Dalai Lama said, "the education of the heart...where children learn, as part of the curriculum, the indispensability of inner values: love, compassion, justice and forgiveness." The change must first begin with each one of us.
Invest more in mental health. According to the National Association of Mental Illness, in a given year, approximately 61.5 million Americans experience mental illness. An estimated 20 percent of youth ages 13 - 18 experience mental disorders. Roughly 2.4 million people live with schizophrenia; 6.1 million people live with bipolar disorder; 14.8 million people live with depression; and 42 million live with anxiety disorders; yet, unless something terrible happens, people make jest of, or ignore those living with these issues; but it's never funny - especially when it leads to abuse, suicide or murder.
Personally invest in social change. How much time do we each spend investing in social change? Change requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and tackling critical issues that are affecting our globe. We tweet about tragedies. Facebook timelines are flooded with reactions to the horrors, then we go back to posting selfies, adjusting Instagram filters, and watching YouTube videos about song parodies, eyebrows and makeup contouring. Something's broken with our current culture. Imagine if a tenth of that time was spent making the world better?
Let's not make the word "diversity" a fad. The UNITED States of America is a melting pot where most of us are immigrants and inter-mingled culturally. We have to stop negatively pointing out differences based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation or political affiliation. America is idealized because of its diversity, yet the very things we stand for, are what we use to destroy one another. Conversations about inclusion can foster understanding and create solutions.
Invest in global conversations about spirituality and consciousness. At the heart of senseless killing are people in pain; who don't vibrate at a high level of consciousness that allows them to make decisions that would help and heal, rather than destroy. Developing higher consciousness, self-love and inner awareness should be a global discussion. If we teach intolerance and hate, that's what feeds people's souls. If we water the minds of our youth with love, compassion and optimism, that's what grows. Co-creating global, socially conscious citizens must become our legacy. We must become teachers of love, seekers of knowledge and messengers of what's possible for the human race.
Be the change we seek. Dr. King said, "When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words or hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love." Don't become the bomber. Don't become the shooter. Don't spew hate. Elevate. Vibrate higher.
Great change is preceded by chaos - Deepak Chopra. Our country is in chaos and it's time for change. In this election year, we need leadership that is not incendiary, but level-headed. This recent attack shouldn't demonize Muslim Americans or place a ban on immigration. We cannot declare war on an entire group of people or religion. It's dangerous and anti-American. We can impose proper restrictions on firearms. We can work to ensure that people are not targeted because of their ethnicity, religious views, and sexual orientation or gender identity. We can stop gossiping, bullying, calling people weird, bipolar, fat or stupid. As immigrants, my friend Mali Phonpadith and I, who fled Liberia and Laos, respectively as refugees, know firsthand the terrors of war, yet we chose to respond by building up our communities, leading with compassion and love.
It is time for a new type of response ...of active love and higher consciousness that will make these acts of rage unimaginable to future generations. We can no longer afford to be silent bystanders. How we act today is the investment we're making for the future.
This article was written in collaboration with Mali Phonpadith.