Handwritten Letter (2016.034.0440)
Description
Child’s message on notebook paper in pink ink pen that says, “Dear God, Please take care of the victims of this shooting. They didn’t do anything to deserve this. Being bisexual myself this hurts me to see that just because someone got a bad feeling about gay people because he saw two boys kissing makes me feel hurt, angry, destroyed and scared. When hearing about this at first I thought it was no big deal…then I heard how many people who were innocent got killed…None of them had deserved this. I feel so so upset. Me being almost the same sexuality as most of them makes me think of stuff like what if I was old enough to be there and I was there…what would have happen [sic] to me? Would I have died or would I still been here walking and..? If I would have been there I would have told the shooter to shoot me and let the others go. ? be honest. Why hurt other people because your [sic] feeling some type of..?..God bless their [sic] and their family..?..friends hearts and souls as they..?..and try to live with this. Savanna Mapes / warden / Leesburg, FL / Age 13.”
Historical Notes: History Center Staff worked diligently to collect these memorial items before their messages were lost due to Orlando weather. Despite conservation efforts, some items, such as this letter, retained too much moisture to read the entire message.
Keywords
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Memorial, Leesburg, Letters, Public Reaction, Savanna Mapes
Item Details
- Object ID: 2016.034.0440
- Collection Site: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
- Collection Date: 06/29/2016
- Size: 10.375H X 7.75W
