Opinion

Do more than pray for victims - act

Posted June 20, 2016 1:00 am

Don't just pray.

Don't just pray for the victims: friends, family, wounded, and deceased.

Don't just pray for a united country in facing this tragedy.

Don't just pray for the hate toward queer and trans people and people of color to end, for mental illness to have better treatment, for the gun issue to be settled, for the Muslims now preparing for undeserved harassment in the midst of Ramadan.

Act.

Support your community's queer and trans folks, people of color, the neurodiverse, and Muslims. Listen. Let their voices be heard above yours. Call out hatred directed toward them, even if it makes you enemies. Recognize your own negative prejudices and strive to challenge them. Learn about the tenets of Islam. Donate money to local foundations. Contact your political representatives and tell them your priorities for the community, the state and the nation.

Please, don't just pray. Act.

Elizabeth Baird

Wheaton

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