My Promise to the 49

I am guilty.
I saw the Facebook posts.
I saw the tweets.
I saw him on 8chan.
And I scrolled by.

I am guilty.
I was indifferent.
I thought he was just a keyboard warrior.
I didn’t type my disgust.
I just scrolled by.

I am guilty.
I let him grow.
I let others think it was okay.
I let others encourage him.
I just scrolled by.

I am guilty.
I was weak.
I was intimidated by his hate.
I didn’t want to be a target.
So I just scrolled by.

I am guilty.
But I will seek redemption.
I will share my voice.
I will fight hatred.
I WILL NOT SCROLL BY – NEVER, EVER AGAIN!

The Christchurch, New Zealand Massacre, 2019