Why I Think These Tragic Shootings Actually Bring Out the Good in People and Humanity

When it rains, it pours.

Many people know this old saying and most of us have felt the meaning behind it, some of us ten-fold.

Recently, the news has been raining and pouring with tragic shootings. Whether they are reported more-so now due to the gun/anti-gun debates or the particular crime is simply more common, it seems like there has been an increasing number of gun-related news stories popping up lately.

With the amount of sad and tragic news being reported about these events, it is amazing how many people want to add to the pile of negativity and trash-talk our communities and humanity as a whole.

Quite frankly, it annoys me to read status updates on social media about how humanity is going down the drain. It annoys me to hear questions like "what is this world coming to?" It frustrates me to hear people say they no longer wish to live in this country or furthermore, on this planet.

I understand some of these comments are made in a joking-manner, but when events take place like the shooting at Renown Medical Center in the Center for Advanced Medicine on Tuesday, it does not mean that humanity has taken a turn for the worse.

What is does mean, is there are some folks in our community who are going to suffer physical and mental pain. There are families who are going to have to move on without loved ones. There are people who are going to replay the tragic events in their heads more than once. That alone is enough hardship for one town or a community to endure, let alone the negative comments and unnecessary statements being thrown around by the few. While the Debbie Downers and Cynical Susies are complaining about how trashy a town has become or stating their intent to forgo their U.S. Citizenship, magic is happening within the community.

If there is ever a silver lining in this type of situation is is this: communities come together and rally as one to pick up the pieces, help where help is needed, and provide general support for anyone and everyone. The shooting that took place on Tuesday happened in Reno but that didn't stop Washoe County and the City of Sparks from offering help and emergency medical services. It didn't stop the bordering agencies and entities from offering aide, outside their jurisdictions. In fact, the support and collaboration of all of these agencies was so profound, that an eye witness expressed her gratitude and appreciation.

Moving on from a tragic event like this is will never be an easy thing to do. Doing so in a sea of negative comments and trash-talk will be even harder. I am not, in any way, trying to discount the nature of the event or the tragedy that was the shooting. Events like this are terrible and I give my deepest, most sincere condolences to all of those involved.

I am simply trying to say that when events like this take place, and negative comments are thrown around like a football at a BBQ, take a second to look around at the magic happening in the community, in the midst of tragedy. Humanity is not going bad and will not go bad, so long as we have people like those right here in Reno, who are willing to step up to the plate and help the community.