Reflecting on a tragedy

#sydney #martinplace #illridewithyou #peace .

It has been an emotional time for the people of Sydney since a gunman took hostage a group of people in Martin Place, eventually killing two in the name of the Muslim state.

I do not want to get hung up on the politics of it all, though I do believe that we need to do more to welcome minority groups into our community and make them feel safe and welcome. This man did not represent the thousands of Muslims in this country who contribute peacefully to our society, who work and pay taxes and who have become friends and relatives. I believe in tolerance, education and a fair go for all.

What was moving was to see the city coming together in sorrow. All backgrounds and cultures paying their respects to the dead. There were three blocks of flowers in Martin Place and a line up to get up close. It is a surreal experience seeing it and knowing it was in a café that I have been in a few times. It was healing to see the outpouring of sorrow and gave me hope for the future.

I believe that out of this will come a sense of community across the city's population. That the city will stand together and learn to love again as we heal.

Tori & Katrina - may you rest in peace.