#ALLLIVESMATTER | The Odyssey Online
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#ALLLIVESMATTER
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#ALLLIVESMATTER

512 - the total number of human beings killed by police officers since 2016. (1)

44 - number of murders per day in the United States of America. (2)

108,000,000 - the total estimated number of deaths from war since the beginning of the 20th century. (3)

100 - the current number of species of animals on the endangered species list. (4)

80,000 - the estimated number of acres of rainforest being destroyed daily. (5)

17 percent - estimated percentage of Ozone layer depletion by year 2020.(6)

Recent weeks have seen an influx of killings in the United States, from a night club shooting in Orlando, Florida to the shooting of an unarmed man at the hands of a police officer in Minnesota. In the wake of recent deaths, particularly that of black men at the hands of law enforcement officers, has reasoned the creation of an organization called #BLACKLIVESMATTER (a chapter-based national organization working for the validity of Black life). In the wake of the retribution killing of 5 Dallas police officers at the hands of an indignant civilian, the movement #BLUELIVESMATTER (a non-profit organization aimed at helping police officer’s families in need) has been coined. My question however is, “When have we as human beings EVER cared for life in any one of its many forms? From honey bees to our own children, humans have been terminating life at will since the beginning of our existence.

Whether it be the Ozone layer which ultimately keeps us safe from the harmful rays of the sun, to the Rainforests which keep our ecosystem running efficiently and harmoniously, human beings have found a way to ultimately terminate everything in existence including themselves. Death has ultimately become our way of life. The only other organism which closely relates to that of the human species is cancer; a malignant growth. From carbon emissions to chlorofluorocarbon’s we consistently and unfailingly beseech demise even for the planet that gives us life. Paradoxically even as the fear of death tops most people’s list of fears, death is something distributed quite graciously in the human experience.

Who cares about life really? History as well as the present has shown us that life isn’t quite valued in the eyes of our culture. Shouldn’t all lives matter? Shouldn’t all life matter? Is it too much to be “nice” to one another?

Officers who take the lives of unarmed civilians should at most feel disparaged; preeminent sediment at best, frail, and fearful. Yes-men, paper tigers, softies, lackeys, and worms. No offense. Law enforcement officers go through roughly 20 weeks of training equivalent to 5 months. Trained in hand to hand combat, conflict resolution, as well as tactical weapons training. Equipped with a Kevlar vest, mace/pepper spray, a Taser, handcuffs, a baton, and last but not least a gun yet the fear within you drives you so much that you shoot and kill another human being who is already restrained by another office, with the same amount of equipment and the same amount of training as you?... Lackey. In addition I assume the average police officer is more physically conditioned than the average civilian (hopefully).

In what reality do we live in that we allow some of the most fearful amongst us, to protect us? When creating a military what country would rationally seeks out the most frail, fragile, and petrified to defend the freedoms of its people? Fear can be defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. How does one respond to a threat? More than likely by a preemptive attack. Kill first; the mentality of our species.

It saddens me to be aware that I am a part of the most destructive force on the planet earth (human-beings). So I now feel a growing responsibility to give love, compassion, and understanding wherever I go because there are seemingly forces of darkness who’s aim is to divide and destroy everything in sight. The media simply shows us as little children going tit for tat nevertheless playing with fire. #BLACKLIVESMATTER versus #BLUELIVESMATTERS, white’s versus blacks, police officers versus citizens, ect. Little children bickering and fighting, no one wanting to apologize and fix the issues at the source so that unity and therefore growth can capitulate us into a new era of positivity and global accomplishments that ultimately put an end to division, lack, suffering and pain.

In closing I just hope we can stop killing things...

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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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