The Charlottesville Riots Were A Call For Love | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

The Charlottesville Riots Were A Call For Love

You heard it. To help reverse these evils, simply practice preaching equality.

21
The Charlottesville Riots Were A Call For Love
The Nation

To begin writing about a topic as dense as the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia is daunting.

Anything that I write cannot give justice to those who were injured, both physically and emotionally, from these heinous actions that were based solely on bigotry and ignorance.

How do we, as a nation that is seemingly placed on a moral high ground, explain this?

How does a nation, who is so young but so powerful, explain an act of internal terrorism over a fight that had already been fought in the nineteenth century?

The Civil War was a terribly bloody war that put brothers against brothers, losing more Americans than any other war this country has been involved with. How do we explain regression like this? We’ve done this before. We don’t need to do it again.

While delivering the eulogy at the funeral of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor who was fatally shot among eight congregation members during the Charleston Massacre in June 2015, former President Barack Obama provided insight that is precedent in events like Charlottesville.

He wisely stated that: “History can’t be a sword to justify injustice or a shield against progress. It must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, how to break the cycle, a roadway toward a better world.”

In other words, we cannot justify horrible actions of the present just because they are hauntingly similar to actions of the past. It is disturbing how evils of the past are repeated in various ways during the present.

Studying history can show how generations from the past have lived through this before, the theme being the same amongst different points in history. How have we not learned by now that all humans are worthy of respect and dignity, but most importantly, love?

To come to a better understanding of others, we as people of a nation founded upon liberty must spread love by having an open mind to other people and their beliefs.

Obama had expressed that the late Pinckney himself, “…knew that the path of grace involves an open mind. But more importantly, an open heart.

We must open our hearts to others in order to stop this regression. And this is exactly what Marissa Blair, dear friend of Heather Heyer, the fatality from the violence in Charlottesville, said they are going to do in response to the untimely death of their dear friend. In a statement about Ms. Heyer, Ms. Blair believed that in order to move on from the situation, she has to ask herself, “What would Heather do?’ Upon thinking this, she knows that, “Heather would go harder. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to preach love. We’re going to preach equality, and Heather’s death won’t be in vain.”

You heard it. To help reverse these evils, simply practice preaching equality. Do not let Ms. Heyer die in vain. If Charlottesville can teach our country anything, it is a cry for help and a call for love.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193720
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16964
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459401
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27489
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments