I thought about writing an uplifting article this week to distract myself and readers from the terrorism happening throughout the world right now. But then, last Thursday night, an act of terror happened in downtown Dallas, a city I’ve called home my entire life. I woke up that morning to an Instagram post by the Wall Street Journal with the caption: "Five police officers were killed and seven others were injured in an ambush at an anti-police brutality demonstration in Dallas. The incident is the deadliest for U.S. law enforcement since September 11.” I just can’t believe it. I can’t believe 5 police officers died on June 7 during what was a peaceful “Black Lives Matter” protest.
I also can’t believe Alton Sterling and Philander Castile were brutally killed by police officers. Both incidents break my heart. The terror must stop.
Our nation — the world — feels very divided right now.
Recently I’ve found myself to be quite worried and cynical. I fear going to crowded public spaces, I worry about traveling far from home, I have little trust in strangers. I am constantly asking myself: How is there so much hate in this world? We are all human. Race shouldn't matter. Gender shouldn't matter. Sexuality shouldn't matter. Religion shouldn’t matter. I repeat: We are all human. We all deserve to be treated equally.
A Tweet by @RandyNBCLA sums up my point nicely: “#Dallas whether you are a civilian or an officer you bleed the same. #stopthebleeding healing begins recognizing our humanity.”
The people of a united nation ought to build each other up, not tear each other down. Terrorism creates only death and injury, sadness, fear, and uneasiness. Love is always more powerful than hate.
Another Tweet by @OgeTheYogi supports the former statement: "To those who committed the killings of #Dallas policemen you are NO ally to the cause of peace and justice. This is NOT part of the solution.” Violence is never the answer to solving a problem — especially issues so controversial as gun control and police brutality.
As Rini Sampath, USC’s former Student Body President, wrote in a statement on Facebook: "America has a gun problem and America has a race problem. We need to say it and we need to say it say it again. Civilians should not own military style assault weapons. Police must stop this militaristic killing of black people. We can criticize killer cops and mourn the killing of cops. We can demand a more peaceful and loving society.”
To increase gun control and decrease police brutality, every American — every person — must adjust their mindset. We cannot foster hatred and terrorism; instead, we must encourage acceptance and support. Change starts within each individual.
Eliminate the hate. Stop the bleeding. Recognize our humanity.
#DallasStrong
