What to do to fight back

Published 5:33 pm Wednesday, June 15, 2016

The news of the weekend shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando is mere days old and still shaking the nation. This act of terrorism has encouraged people from across the United States and across the entire world to reach out, show their support and help in whatever way they see fit.

People in Orlando lined up for entire city blocks to donate blood. Monetary donations have been made individually through crowd-funding websites. Celebrities and large companies have done so on a larger scale, too.

Crisis hotlines have sprung up to offer grief counseling.

Even journalists have shown support in their unique way. According to the Poynter Institute, newsrooms all over the country have pooled together money to purchase food for the Orlando Sentinel staff, which has been working tirelessly around the clock to cover this disaster.

That’s what this despicable act calls for. It calls for people to reach out and help however they can. It’s not a time to point fingers and push agendas. Hate breeds more hate and it’s each person’s job to counteract that hatred with an act of love.

The perpetrator — a man who’s name will not be mentioned in this editorial — is not the point of focus right now. The 49 victims and 53 others fighting for their lives are what’s important right now. They’re the people who need love and support.

How can Beaufort County’s residents reach out and show their support? According to USA Today, LGBT and humanitarian advocacy groups are raising funds to help the victims and their families. Planting Peace, an international nonprofit organization for humanitarian and environmental projects, started a CrowdRise campaign titled “We Stand with Pulse.” The Center, an LBGT advocacy group in Orlando, also has a GoFundMe page. Proceeds from it will benefit the victims and their families.

Furthermore, offer up prayers, random acts of kindness and any other form of spiritual offering.

Members of an entire group — many of whom already struggled finding acceptance in day-to-day life — were targeted in the most deadly mass shooting in American history. A kind word to a stranger, whether or not he or she is a member of the LGBT community, can go a long way in helping them find solace in what has been a scary few days.

Do something to reach out and show support. It’s times like these where love shines the brightest.