On June 15, 2016, Augustana College held a time of lament and solitary event in the Ascension Chapel in honor of the 49 victims that lost their lives in an Orlando nightclub.
Pastor Richard Priggie began the event by calling the deadliest mass shooting in US history by noting that the event has been characterized as a “terrorist attack” and “hate crime” but saying that it hurt us all no matter how it was characterized.
As students, faculty, and staff circled around two candles, the names of all victims were read. After a group of names was read, everyone said, “We remember and we lament.”
This small act allowed for the Augustana community to come together and mourn with Orlando.
“The reason why we called our gathering, ‘A Time for Lament and Solidarity,’ is that we think that its important to get all our sorrow, anger, and hurt out in the open and to receive the support of the wider community,” Pastor Priggie explained. “Sadness needs to be felt and expressed.”
Pastor Priggie ended the service with a quote. South African Bishop Desmond Tutu said, “ Goodness is Stronger than Evil. Love is Stronger than Hate. Light is Stronger than Darkness. Life is Stronger than Death.”
“This has been said at almost every ceremony held at Augustana following a mass tragedy. Perhaps if we really felt our sadness we would be moved to take community-building actions, such as banning military-style assault weapons from our society,” Priggie said. “On a human level, it’s just important to be together at a time like this: to hold one another, hear one another, grieve together, hope together.”
Other Augustana faculty and staff reacted to the Orlando shooting as well.
“Since it seems that the firearms used in the Orlando massacre were obtained legally and/or could be obtained legally, it is certainly an issue of access to militaristic firearms in the United States.” said Dr. Christopher Whitt, chair of the Political Science department at Augustana.
Others shared their emotions in response to the tragedy.
“I feel sad and and frustrated.” expressed Dr. Jane Simonsen, Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender studies. “I wish I could say I felt more shock.”
Dr. Brian Katz, professor of Math and Computer Science shared that he believes this tragedy serves as a reminder that inclusivity and tolerance are two separate things.
“This violence reminds me that tolerance is not enough,” said Katz. “We must continue with proactive inclusivity.”
Dr. Katz challenges the Augustana community to keep that in mind moving forward. He says that he feels that everyone needs to ensure that they are committed to building a community where each student feels included and where there is no more silent tolerance.
Dr. Margaret France said “As long as we live in a culture of homophobia, people will be targeted for the sexuality.”
France challenges students who want to make a difference to call upon lawmakers to ban assault weapons.
“Its not about politics, its about public safety.”
The Orlando Massacre left 49 people dead, plus the shooter. Another 53 were injured.
 
(Ryan Jenkins and Madison Rodgers co-authored this article)