Letter to the Editor: Wear Orange – And End Gun Violence

Video Credits: Katareena Roska, iPhone 14.

On June 2, 2015, Wear Orange was born.

It was also supposed to be the 18th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton—another young life cut short by gun violence.

From that day forward, the organization has grown, expanding its impact across three consecutive days—National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. This year, from June 2 to June 4, 2023, people across the nation unite, donning the vibrant hue as a symbol of remembrance, unity, and a collective call for change.

On June 4, 2023, a melancholy gloom settled over the sunny streets of Los Angeles. In the heart of Beverly Hills’ Roxbury Park, a small crowd donning orange and the thudding beating of drums took center stage.

Honoring Roozbeh, the beloved son of Farideh Moharer Arianpour, whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence, the ceremony transformed a family’s sorrow into resolute action.

Drums resonated, and the air filled with harmonies, sung in a language foreign to many but understood by all who shared in the collective grief. As Farideh addressed the crowd with a warm smile and earnest gaze, her voice brimming with strength, she uttered some powerful words: “You can fight the NRA, but nobody can fight mothers.” There is nothing like a mother’s love.

In moments of tragedy, the allure of easy solutions becomes tempting. Thoughts and prayers, though offered with good intentions, are fleeting gestures of remembrance that fade with time until the next heart-wrenching event unfolds. Yet, amidst the devastation, we must remember about those left standing—the survivors who bear the weight of loss and the scars of tragedy. They do not have the luxury of forgetting.

We must take resolute action and staunchly refuse to let the cycle of violence persist. Honoring the precious lives lost to gun violence requires our unwavering commitment and active participation in building safer communities for the generations to come. It transcends mere thoughts and prayers—it demands tangible steps towards change. Violence is a disease, and we ourselves are the only ones capable of curing it.

To bring about lasting change, we must turn our gaze toward those in positions of power. Our local politicians hold the key to enacting legislation that can address the root causes of gun violence. It is crucial that we raise our voices, demand change, and hold them accountable. By texting “CALIFORNIA” to 64433, you can obtain information on how to contact your local politicians and become an agent of change in your community.

Farideh also has a petition for Roozbeh on change.org, which can be accessed at this link.

For more ways to help and spread awareness, you can visit the following page on Wear Orange.