To The People Of California | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

To The People Of California

California, we're here for you.

Sally McNamara
Nov 21, 2018
Villanova University
25
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/648/22797348233_8034e0dd3e_b.jpg
Flickr

My heart is broken as I reflect on the past disasters that have devastated your community. I am sure after the shooting, it felt as though nothing worse could happen. What is worse than a night that was supposed to end in a drunken InNOut run ending in a fight for your life in an ambulance? But then the fires came and destroyed so many homes and lives with it.

I don't need to tell you this. You've witnessed it. You've seen the orange hands of destruction. You've choked on the noxious smoke. Your eyes constantly watering. Hearing that your favorite bar is a crime scene. Seeing the faces of the fallen on the local news.

So California, we're here for you.

You with your bountiful beaches, mountains, and vineyards. You with your NorCal and SoCal. With your Boba tea, acai bowls, and vegan propaganda.

We will not forget. This cannot be another mass shooting. Forest fires destroying the lives of thousands cannot be the normal.

We cannot accept this.

We have to fight this.

We have to help.

1 out of 8 US residents lives in California.

1 out 8.

As I sit in my dorm room across the countries, I see the instagram stories of my friends as they beg for thoughts and prayers for their hometowns.

But thoughts and prayers cannot be enough.

Action needs to be taken.

307 mass shootings.

More than 8,800 structures destroyed by fire.

Numbers don't lie.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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