In the world that we now live in, everyone has easier access to nationwide news thanks to the obsession around social media. Tragedies spread like wildfire and people are able to witness first-hand major (and sometimes horrific) events that are easily captured on phones. There is an increased transparency due to things like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. People are able to get "all the answers they need" without receiving an ounce of factual proof or evidence. Seeing shocking and tragic deaths and murders that would in the past permanently impact and shake someone, our generation is now immune to. Seeing something so terrible can create a quick judgement that is necessary at the moment but created without facts, evidence, or even a trial? So something to pander is, why are we so quick to judge?
On July 6, I watched the Alton Sterling video on Twitter and my stomach became nauseous at what my eyes saw. Never in my life would I have ever imagined seeing something so traumatic as a killing. Although, I do not know the events that took place leading up to this incident to permanently judge the situation. But, I do know that Sterling has 17 intense criminal charges on his record and had been reported having a gun on him at the time by a homeless man who had called 911. I also know that resisting arrest can allow police to use lethal force if the criminal has a felony. I also know that Sterling had previously be in altercation with an officer where he had been illegally carrying a weapon, as a felon. The video is gut wrenching, but is not valuable enough to create strict judgement. I cannot imagine being put in the dangerous positions our police men and women put themselves in everyday. But for me to judge this situation so quickly is brash due to lack of facts that a 30 second video cannot possibly display.
Our law enforcement deals with intense and life-risking moments every day so that we as U.S. citizens do not have to (especially in cities that have high criminal activity like Baton Rouge, Chicago, L.A., and Baltimore). Respect and cooperation should always be given to law enforcement because each day they suit up to enter situations that could threaten their lives in unexpected and dangerous ways. Beyond this, it is deeply saddening what happened to Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana no matter how great or bad of a person he was.
On July 7, two days after the death of Alton Sterling more tragedy struck in America. 12 officers and two civilians were shot by a man with the agenda "to kill white people" in Dallas, Texas. This is a giant leap backwards for our country and has left five innocent policemen dead. These men were fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Their deaths, along with Alton Sterlings, will leave a lasting impacts on their loved ones. Again, on twitter I was able to witness several videos that quickly became harder and harder to watch. Videos that impacted innocent minds by the masses with images that at one point in time were very rare to witness. It is heartbreaking. It is also hard to accept that the Black Lives Matter movement chants hate and disgust toward the very police that risked their lives to keep them safe during the shooting. A New York times article is titled, "Five Dallas Officers Were Killed as Payback [for Alton Sterling], Police Chief Says." So because of a decision of a few, more people are slaughtered. "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." -M.K. Gandhi.
This continuing bloodshed is making the United States blind and separated.
One can believe it is a terrible injustice that happened to Alton Sterling and still stand by our men and women in blue. A person can and should support #BlueLivesMatter and #BlackLivesMatter. Why? Because ALL Lives Matter. As much as members of Black Lives Matter dislike this mentality because it distracts away from their message, it is true. Supporting each movement does not take away from either sides beliefs. The media is easy to point fingers and divide us but this behavior will only lead us to be distracted from finding an actual solution. Every single one of us should stand together in these times of immense sorrow. United States citizens need to maintain respect for our law enforcement and justice should be served to those who have unlawfully taken the law into their own hands, if so. But until there is an actual verdict, we should be standing together as Americans.
Black lives matter and Blue lives matter do not have to be opposing forces like they are growing to become. We should be able to convey empathy toward each message and should not limit our morals to one side because the media wants to pin one group against the other. Instead Americans are dividing over senseless actions and fact-less issues.
I am anguished that in just this Summer there has been a terrorist attack on American soil toward the gay community in Orlando, the death of Alton Sterling by a policeman and for the race-driven sniper attack on law enforcement in Dallas that has left five police officers dead. These dreadful events will not break the America I grew up having so much pride for. We need a safer and more united America back.
So in the wake of Orlando, Alton Sterling and the Dallas Shooting, American leaders and citizens continue to pursue the fixation that inanimate metal objects (guns) are the root of the evil. I do not mind for certain stricter gun laws, but this will bring no benefit to the roots of this country's problem because it is not the problem. We have a national security, Justice system, and racial problem in the United States not a "gun" problem.
The mentality of a country is derived from its leadership and right now we are a nation becoming divided. We need law and order restored in this country because this is not the America I want my children to grow up in. There is so much hate and corruption. So, I will continue to pray for the peace, safety, and unity of this country.
America needs to be great again.
