By now we've all heard the news about Orlando. We've all said our thoughts on Facebook and changed our profile pictures. We've said what we've had to say on Twitter and on various blogs. For me, most of my friends and followers are stricken with sadness and anger and frustration. I'm all those things too.

I just don't know what to say about things like this anymore. Sometimes I feel like saying nothing on social media is best for me. I feel like maybe those who follow me and who are my friends already know that I'm heart broken about the situation. I know for many people it's a showing of solidarity and mourning by posting their thoughts and memes on social media, but for me silence and reflection work best.

It's been more than 24 hours since this horrific act of violence has happened. I've had a chance to process it. I still don't have the words to express my grief, sadness, frustration and anger. I know this will happen again. I know that the chances of even more lives are greater now. I know that processing this kind of act is something that we will all have to live through again and again because it doesn't seem like any real changes are being done to stop it.

I feel like all I can do right now is hope that it doesn't hit too close to home...

I will always choose love over hate. 

xoxoxoxoxo

Brock Turner, an ex-Stanford student and swimmer raped a woman and only got a 6 month jail sentence for his actions. According to the judge who sentenced him, anything longer than a 6 month jail sentence would "have a severe impact on him."

This makes me afraid, angry, disheartened, hurt and beyond sorry for the woman who was raped by him. A woman who only wanted to go out with her sister to a party. She was raped, while unconscious, and left with her clothes up over head until someone found her and took her to a hospital.

Why isn't this man being held more accountable? Because he's white. Because he's an athlete. Because he's privileged. Because today, in 2016, we still live in a rape culture.

People need to know this guys name, Brock Turner. This is what he looks like.

People should know what he did. People need to be aware that this is still happening because women shouldn't be afraid to go to a party at night. 

 I want the woman who was raped to know that there are many people out there who feel that he should get a true and just sentencing. That what she had to endure was not right and that her feelings about what happened to her are valid. 

This is her letter that she wrote to Brock Turner.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/katiejmbaker/heres-the-powerful-letter-the-stanford-victim-read-to-her-ra?utm_term=.dvzVRNOzX#.mxY0GwXjb

This is the letter that Brock Turner's dad wrote: