Thoughts on Modern Tragedies

There a genocide currently taking place: it is very recent in its occurrence but ancient in its application. Indeed, there has not been enough recognition of the Yazidi genocide and of other minorities in the Middle East, and efforts that drudge forward tend to let more victims perish. Recognizing genocide is still a thorny issue, even for societies that consider themselves modern and compassionate. Simple words will not offer a solution that would make humanity proud.

The recent Orlando nightclub shooting and Sandy Hook are both convincing catalyst for limiting arms sales, but little was and will be done as a result. Failing to act after Sandy Hook, and developing inadequate responses to a genocide: this is the place modern humanity finds itself in in 2016. It seems as if every speech has already been given and every opportunity has already presented itself to urge solutions to these problems. Self-interest and politics dominating our airwaves soon after massacres and tragedies has become the norm. Neither side of any debate is innocent in promoting their opinions, often given in safe, privileged environments.

In every debate there is nuance, but increasingly there is little patience for arguments coming from the other team, even if they make perfect sense. Rev. Majid el Shafie, president of One Free World International, an organization dedicated to saving innocent civilians in Iraq and Syria points out in his article that the targeting of small vulnerable groups did not start on June 12 2016, but has been going on with accepted silence on the issue for some time.

Canadian journalist Rex Murphy describes in his video how all political partisans are both correct on their assessment of the root cause of the Orlando shooting, but incorrect in claiming one specific reason or another for the violence. It could be that a lack of unity or willingness to accept reality is why incidents will continue to occur, as those not personally affected argue about who can debate most effectively.

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