I am sad beyond description
Secretary Skorton’s statement on the tragic events in Orlando on the early morning of June 12:
Dear Colleagues,
I write to you about yesterday’s tragic and disturbing events in Orlando. My heart is with those killed or injured and their families and friends as well as our Smithsonian colleagues with family and friends in Orlando. I am sad beyond description and outraged by these senseless acts of brutality and hate.
As President Obama said yesterday, “…this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American—regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation—is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country. And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.”
Despite my sadness, I am proud of, and take hope in, the way the Smithsonian community supports each other every day, regardless of our backgrounds and, most pointedly this weekend, our sexual orientations.
Throughout the years, the Smithsonian has worked to celebrate all of humanity, recognizing the LGBT community and its contributions to America. We do this because we know that the members of the LGBT community are full members of the American family as are all other people and groups that make America what it is.
Our message of embracing diversity in all of its facets is more necessary now than ever. Across the Smithsonian, we strive to make our workplace respectful to all and free of harassment and discrimination. Our commitment to make the Smithsonian a place where all Americans can come together, see themselves in what we do, and be themselves, is stronger than ever.
I ask that we keep in our thoughts all those in Orlando and any place where people are victims of hate.
Sincerely,
David Skorton
Secretary
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Posted: 13 June 2016
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At Auschwitz they burned us.
We kept silent, but learned.
At Stonewall they sent the police to beat us.
We found our voice.
During the AIDS epidemic they ignored us.
We organized and spoke out.
Mathew Shepard was left to die in that big Wyoming sky
We voted.
They condemned our commitment to love who we choose
We litigated.
Step by step we walked the freedom trail
In the footsteps of slaves,
Of immigrants
Of women and veterans too.
Over two hundred forty years and count’n
Still so much left to do.
When will this madness ever end? In spite of all the progress we’ve made toward equality and social justice, events like this latest mass shooting in Florida show us how much farther we have yet to go. In particular, I’ve got to wonder if our country will ever summon the political courage to do more to keep the most lethal firearms out of the hands of people who hate and should not have them. No solution would be perfect, but — all politics aside — we ought to be able to agree on some common-sense measures to make our public places safer. We are the only developed nation in the world that sees these types of hate-crime shootings on a regular basis. It’s long past time we figured out a way to stop it.
Paul in reference to your statement “I’ve got to wonder if our country will ever summon the political courage to do more to keep the most lethal firearms out of the hands of people who hate and should not have them”. Are you suggesting that we pass a law outlawing guns for radical Muslims and people who hate gays?
I must admit I wasn’t surprised that Dr. David J. Skorton never mentioned Radical Muslim during his heart felt comments.
Hi Luther,
No, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I only meant to raise the issue of whether we could address the question of how to protect all of our fellow citizens from the scourge of gun violence in a way that balances public safety with our citizens’ Second Amendment rights.
For instance, polls consistently show that even 80 to 90 percent of gun owners support universal background checks that might prevent people who shouldn’t have access to assault rifles from getting them legally, but Congress won’t pass such legislation. Doing so certainly wouldn’t stop all of the violent crime committed with guns but it seems to me that we need to start somewhere.
It saddens me that sometimes we let the perfect be the enemy of the good and refuse to do anything when there are reasonable measures we could take to keep things like the mass shooting in Orlando from happening with such depressing regularity. One of the most disturbing things I’ve heard here at the Smithsonian was the observation our instructor in active shooter response training made about how we should be prepared for when, not if, such an incident occurs.
Best wishes for a great day, Luther. And now it’s back to work. …
Thank you Paul….and Luther…
Getting a dialogue started is one of the first steps to seeking and finding common ground on this important matter. Let us not wait until it is our son, our daughter, our nephew or niece, our parent, our cousin or grandkids that find themselves in harm’s way before we can have empathy and fully understand what President Obama means when he reminds us that attacks on any American—regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation—is an attack on each and all of us. This should be “personal” to all of us as it could have been our brother or sister. And if we do nothing….it might just be our son or daughter at another venue….the next time…..
Paul,
Did see all the reports now. The shooter was gay. All that’s left for a motive is a Muslim terrorist. I would agree with you that we should outlaw all guns for Muslim terrorist. This is a terrible terrorist act period. We must stop them. I pray for the people who lost their lives or were wounded as well as their families.