2 years ago

First of all, I just wanted to thank everyone for the immense outpouring of love and support you’ve given me over the past few hours. I spent all day checking my phone, reading your comments, and contemplating whether I should write something else to address other questions/concerns that have been brought up.





So here goes.





To give you a bit of background on myself, I grew up on a farm in the West Texas area. My father is an avid and skilled hunter, and gun enthusiast. My dad taught me to shoot a gun at 10, the same age he started showing me how to drive. He’s taken my brothers hunting for years. The point is, I’ve grown up with guns my whole life. His collection ranges from vintage rifles to the newest pistols. Every time I go home to visit, I always ask if he can take me out to the gun range he has set up behind the farm. When I moved into my first apartment alone, my father bought me a gun. It was his Christmas present to me, and he also offered to pay for my CHL license. I was scared of his present. Not because it was a weapon, but because the realization hit that I was a young woman living alone, and the thought of someone coming into my place to hurt me was terrifying.





The gun control debate is one that I honestly do not feel comfortable speaking about. Mostly because I’m ignorant to the rules and regulations that are currently in place, and I’d like to truly do my research before I take a stance on such a controversial topic. But what I do know and understand is the confusion and sadness that happens when mass tragedies occur at the hands of a madman behind a gun. I don’t understand how someone who was investigated twice by the FBI is allowed to own weapons. Again, I can’t honestly say where I stand on this issue, but it’s something to think about, and I encourage anyone who reads this to do his or her own research.





My heart is heavy, and I will continue to mourn and speak up for those who longer have the voices to do so. I cannot remain silent and passive about this situation; it would go against who I am as a person. Things have to change. We all have to be an active part in changing the world for the better. How do we do that?





We communicate. We learn from each other, and we refuse to let fear and intolerance guide us. We stand up to the politicians who write ridiculously discriminating bills to keep our community out of using their preferred bathroom but offer their “thoughts and prayers” when tragedy strikes. We stand up to the bigots who blame people who are different for their problems. We cannot allow condolences only when it's convenient to a political agenda. We say, “We will not allow this. You do not speak for us.” We work every day to rid the world of Islamophobia, of homophobia, of racism. Of ignorance and hate of any kind.





I apologize for coming into a space of laughter, of comedy and enjoyment to speak about this. I completely understand that some of you find refuge here, that your days are made better here and that our content is where you come to escape. I am so incredibly proud to work for a company that provides entertainment. I don’t mean to bring controversy in a space like this, but please understand that my safe spaces have been compromised. I am a person. I have feelings. I exist, and I’ll no longer be able to enjoy a night out freely. I’ll always have the closest exit within eyesight.





I am incredibly grateful to work at Rooster Teeth. It is an inclusive place that makes me feel safe, welcome, and encourages me to be a part of an amazing community. We are encouraged to use the site, to communicate with all of you, and I plan on continuing to do so. Because I am a part of the Rooster Teeth community. I am a part of the Latino community. I am a part of the Queer community, and if speaking out helps even one person, then I’ll be able to sleep better at night. I love you all so much, and please know that I am with you and I stand by you through any struggles you may face.





I hope you can say the same for me and join me in a mission to spread love, acceptance, and peace. To say that we are here, we are united, we will not be silenced, and we will overcome.





Please continue the conversations and discussions. Whether you agree or disagree, it's important to be active and engaged, that's how change happens. Don't let this just be another tragedy that we brush over and move on from. Stay mad. Stay passionate. Stay hopeful.