Before I express my thoughts, let me first say this editorial contains my sole views and opinions, and does not necessarily reflect the views of Townsquare Media or any of its affiliates. With that being said, let’s get started.

I had to think long and hard before I wrote this. I’m not normally one to put my emotions on display for the world to judge and/or misinterpret, but the current events of the world have weighed so heavy on my spirit, I can no longer sit idle or be silent. Writing this is, at its core, my therapy. Forgive me as I vent my frustration. The Germanwings Disaster Should Have Never Happened!

It’s been about two weeks since the crash took place, and I am still deeply saddened. I’m also, more so than anything else, still very angry. How could this have happened? How could the pilot have been so selfish? So evil? How could the powers that be at the airline have been so blind? So careless? As I watched over and over again the footage of a member of the emergency team swing from an invisible wire strung from a helicopter, carrying body parts; and viewed the other members as they cling to the mountainside risking their own lives to look for pieces of human remains, I became even more infuriated. The one thought that kept repeating in my head was, “What a selfish bastard!”

My ears have no patience to listen to anything about this man’s mental illness. I absolutely cannot get beyond the fact that he murdered 149 innocent people!!! Some of them children who, because of what he did, will never have the chance live out the lives their now unfathomably grieving families envisioned for them. The bright futures they envisioned for themselves. He had no remorse as the sheer horror of their screams echoed through the hollow walls of the cabin, nor did he give a damn when the pilot begged him in the name of God to open the door. He was a heartless, inhuman, cold blooded killer. I feel nothing for him. I do however feel a minute sense of satisfaction at the idea that the agony of his screams could quite possibly be echoing through the bottomless pit of hell as he burns for all of eternity for what he did. I then come to my senses, ask God for forgiveness, and also pray for all the souls that were lost.

I do understand that there is a stigma with people who suffer from mental illness. I understand that there are people who struggle with it every day and face persecution from people like me, who don’t necessarily comprehend what it’s like to live day to day with such a debilitating disease. Because we don’t understand your challenges, we lump you all together in the same discriminatory box, assuming we should live in fear of you because at any moment, you’ll snap. But most of all, we’re afraid of the idea that you’ll snap and try to take us all with you. Discovering the details of Germanwings Flight 9525 has only made it all the more difficult for me to understand the challenges of mental illness. But, who’s to blame? How do we heal? How long will it take for us to trust? To completely feel safe again? I don’t have the answer to those questions, but I do know that I’d like to...trust, heal, and feel safe, that is.

To those pilots all over the world who fly the planes that conveniently allow us travel to our dream vacation spots, to important business meetings where big deals are made, or just home to see our loved ones again. I know, or at least I assume your job is very hard. You work long hours for inadequate pay, you’re under-appreciated by your bosses, and I take your expertise for granted. Please. Forgive me. I’m just afraid. I need you to help restore my faith in you again…in your industry. And for those of you who suffer from mental illness, or with family members who suffer from mental illness, please, help me to understand. Educate me so that I can use my voice to be an advocate for your needs. A beacon for the advancement of education about your condition. Please, I beg of you, do not be silent. Do not isolate yourselves. And if you are suffering, please, get treatment.

By: Tanika Gentry

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