Thoughts on Recent Shootings
December 7, 2015
Not even a month ago, the world was saddened by the terror that occurred in Paris. Just a few weeks later, Americans had to cope with two more mass shootings.
On November 27, Robert Lewis Dear Jr. left three dead and another nine injured after a shooting spree at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Naturally, the American people were shocked at yet another mass shooting in 2015. On the other hand, this has sparked a controversial argument, considering the shooting occurred at a Planned Parenthood clinic.
After the suspect said “no more baby parts,” it became natural for people to assume this shooting derived from anti-abortion, or “pro-life” motives. Of course, the pro-life community, including myself, know this is not the answer by any means.
At the same time, it is ignorant for the pro-choice community to label those who are pro-life as violent extremists like this man.
On the other hand, it is just as ignorant to associate Muslims with terrorists who happen to be Muslim.
Shortly after the Planned Parenthood shooting, two Southern Californians killed 14 people in San Bernardino. The perpetrators were Muslims, which continued to give a bad name to the Islamic community. Unfortunately, this prompted some to truly believe that all Muslims are dangerous.
It is important to acknowledge the difference between Muslims and radical Islamic terrorists. As regular people, debating politics and discussing border control is not a solution. The best thing we can do is hope and pray these shootings stop.
FBI, San Bernardino City and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials at the scene of the California shootout.