Here’s the thing, America:
Responsible gun owners shouldn’t be blamed for acts of violence committed by criminals. Their right to responsibly own said gun shouldn’t be questioned because of potential future violent acts committed by criminals.
Responsible consumers of liquor shouldn’t be blamed for acts of violence or drunk driving committed by criminals. Their right to responsibly purchase and consume said liquor shouldn’t be questioned because of potential future violent acts or drunk driving committed by criminals.
Transgender people shouldn’t be blamed for acts of violence committed in bathrooms by criminals. Their right to use a bathroom appropriate for the gender they identify with shouldn’t be questioned because of potential future violent acts committed by criminals.
There will be crimes committed with firearms. There will be crimes committed by people under the influence of alcohol. There will be crimes committed against men and women and children in America’s bathrooms. God, it’s depressing to type that out and acknowledge it.
But.
BUT.
Those crimes are not the fault of good people. We shouldn’t punish good people for the crimes of bad people. We shouldn’t limit the liberties of good people because we’re afraid of how bad people might exploit those liberties. That kind of fear is terminal cancer to liberty.
Actually, you know what? Fear is terminal, period.
Don’t be afraid today, okay? Instead, be patient. Instead, be kind. Instead, forgive. Maybe lower your voice for a bit–you’ll still be heard, I promise. Don’t worry so much about the little things. Stop keeping track of all the ways you’ve been wronged. Be sad for the sad things in the world, but don’t let that sadness keep you from choosing to believe the best of people. Look for the good in the world–it’s there, it’s just not often the headline. And if, for some unlucky reason you can’t find any good, then be the good in the world.
Because in the end, that’s the only way we’re ever going to shine a light bright enough to chase fear away.
In the end, love will conquer all.
Myndi Shafer 
YES YES YES!! Love you. ~g
Amen, Myndi! Thanks for this – for your voice and your heart.
Wow! So few words and yet so powerful.
Yes! THIS!
Oh, this so, SO much!
In principle I agree with your thesis that love will conquer all, but there are, sadly, a few exceptions that that rule. The most prominent of those in today’s world is when some group denies the existence of love, but allies itself instead to a craving for power through the absolute and total obedience and conformity of everyone else. Those people have gone beyond fear themselves, being blinded by the hysteria of their adopted creed. Yet they exploit the fear of others, using terror to enforce conformity and submission. And what do they offer as an enticement to adopt their creed? Nothing positive, only more fear, rigid and unflinching discipline and unending turmoil. That is the world of Isis, where even God is subservient to the their creed and there is no room for love.
I’m all in favour of freedom of expression, but not when it propogates actions like that. lf they cannot allow me to believe what I choose and live as I want, then they have no place in my world, but I will still continue to love others, just not them.