Millennials stand for a lot of causes. We want people to be able to marry whoever they want, have equality among all genders and we fight racism that is still so present in this age. We have a cause and we must fight for it; we have a voice and this voice must be heard. Feminism, equal rights and gun control are only some of the topics we are posting about on social media. We become offended at minuscule acts, and we blow up and twist information so that we can make sure our opinions are present for everyone to see. We go so far to make sure we get the rights we think we deserve. Though I think voicing our opinions is a very good thing, I would challenge all millennials to remember there is someone on the other side of this war who is disagreeing with you, and that is OK.
Black lives matter, but white lives matter and all lives matter. I am not Kanye trying to steal the show and put the spotlight on whites instead of blacks; I am just saying that though black lives do matter, they are still not the only lives that matter. There are people who have different beliefs than you. Those beliefs might dictate their views on homosexuality and abortion, but you know what? I promise you not all of them are holding up picket fences saying “God hates fags,” or “Gays go to Hell.” Most of them talk to you every day, want to be your friends and love you just the same even though you think differently than they do. They want to feel your pain and they want to understand you. Instead spewing hate towards these people, we should try to understand their beliefs as well. Women, there are men out there that will treat women right and fight for their rights as well. These are the same men that are seen as irresponsible, abusive pigs. There are men out there who will treat you right, and they deserve your love and your respect. Just because they’re men does not mean they are all out to belittle you or steal your rights. Those cops that are trying to save your life and keep you safe are probably not the same cops that murdered and abused people without purpose. When we fight for those lives that are lost, we must remember that there is another side of the story. A side that the press fails to talk about — the cops that go way above and beyond for their communities. They deserve your devotion and respect as well.
Sometimes, us millennials get so caught up in our causes and with the fact that certain people receive discrimination that we fail to realize our hate towards these people is discrimination as well. Whether you agree with someone or not should not dictate whether or not you love and respect them as people. No one is better than anyone else, whether gay or straight, white or black, Christian or non-Christian. We all deserve love and respect, and instead of shoveling more discrimination in the face of those who we feel discriminated against, we still need to treat these people like they’re human beings instead of shoving their faces in the dirt and making them feel dishonored. If love is our motivation being better than someone else will no longer matter, and we will be able to come together, no matter what we believe.
