The Mass-Theater Shooting
Hello,
I am sure everyone knows now what occured in Aurora, Colorado at the Midnight screening of the new Batman Movie. What you all don't know is that I was born and raised in Colorado and that Aurora, Colorado is where I lived before I up and moved to the East Coast last May.
I used to live a Five-Minute drive from Town Center of Aurora where the Century 16 Theater is located. I can remember when that theater didn't even stand there and the mall was plainly called The Aurora Mall, not Simon Mall at Town Center of Aurora.
When that theater went up it was 'the place' to see any movie because other theaters were too far or too expensive to attend. I have fond memories of my family, my friends, and I attending movies there all the time. My little sister just attended a movie there with her friend the previous Weekend before the shooting. My cousin was going to attend that Midnight viewing of Dark Knight Rises, but his mother told him that he could not go. If I still lived in Aurora, Colorado it is possible that a friend may have talked me into going to that Midnight showing and I know because the Community is diverse yet close-knit that I knew at least one person, either through a friend, church, school, or past employment that was at that movie theater that early morning of July 20th, 2012.
What the 'suspect' James Holmes did with his act of terrorism in the dark of that movie theater was so bluntly remind us that we are not safe. We are not safe at work, at public events, at school, at the airport, at the mall, at home, or even at a theater where families and friends gather for a simple night of fun. We are not safe anywhere because we are so busy focused on 'terrorism' in other countries and the 'sacred' value of marriage that we forget about the small things, like the security of public places that can be succeptable to such crimes.
This guy, James Holmes, he crept into Theater 9 at Century 16 Aurora Movie theater aiming to kill as many people as he possibly could yet at this point he is only a 'suspect' in this case described as 'smart' and 'quiet'. When police had apprehended this man, he was only known as an adult male in his 20's. But had he been 'dark skinned' or 'Hispanic' he would've already been condemned, his name muddied. He would've been called a drug-addict and possibly a gang-affiliated individual. If he were Middle Eastern or remotely looked so, James Holmes possibly would've been considered a terrorist and condemned, his name muddied. Instead he is just James Holmes, smart individual and 'suspect' in a mass-shooting.
Is this man not a terrorist? Did he not booby trap his aparment with intent for someone to trip a wire and set off a series of explosions? Did he not buy a ticket to a movie, go into a theater, prop open an exit door, exit and re-enter with guns, striking fear and terror into hundreds of people, using them as target practice?
This man is a terrorist. And I am disgusted that so many people take what he did so lightly. That they would threaten to protest at the victims memorials or that so many people are brushing off this crime as just another tragedy. I am disgusted that people would say we should stop crying about people getting shot because of weak gun laws. Better gun laws may've prevented this tragedy, sure, but if Holmes couldn't use bullets he could've used explosives, a knife, gases. Anything. A murderer's intent is to kill no matter the weapon.
But all that is beside the point right now. The point is that this happened to the people of Aurora, Colorado and it is like a wound being ripped opened. Remember Columbine? When students thought they were safe at school? What happened then and what happened yesterday, yes, it happened to Colorado, so it impacts them most, but this could've happened anywhere in the United States. As he is from California it could've happened there and it could've happened anywhere in the world. In fact it has already happened in many ways, shapes, and forms in the last year, in the last decade, in the last century, and across history.
We're so busy judging and tearing each other apart that we're slow to comprehend the world is going to hell with gasoline britches and we, the human race, are pawns in fueling the fire.
What happened to the Community of Aurora, Colorado could've happened in your city, your hometown, your country, and to your family and friends. So please be respectful to the grieving of the 12 dead and the numerous injured victims. Regardless of their 'lifestyle', wrong-doings, ill-judgment of taking their children to a Midnight showing, and preference of movie, or whatever, etc. the victims of this unspeakable tragedy never saw this coming and didn't deserve to have their lives stolen by James Holmes. These are children and other smart, bright young individuals who in a matter of minutes had a night of fun become a nightmare that is engraved with them forever.
And be thankful it didn't happen to you. I have said it a trillion times in the last day that I am so greatful to be alive right now because in a moment everything can change. Nobody knows when 'The Joker' lurks in the dark of the night aiming to kill as many people as he possibly can. Your life can end in a split second and you may never see it coming.
Thank you to Colorado Law Enforcement for acting so quickly to stop this crime before it got worse and apprehend James Holmes.
My heart goes out to every person injured either physically, mentally, or both by this horrible crime. For every life impacted by this act of terror, including the friends and family of the 'suspect', I have said a prayer for you. And for every life lost I have mourned, May you Rest In Peace.
Signed,
A Born and Raised Coloradoan