An overwhelming part of me has been afraid to comment on the current state of violence in the U.S. I’m the epitome of untravelled and sheltered -- an 18-year-old white woman from an Under the Dome-esque suburb -- I have unconsciously shrunken back from speaking about current events due to where I was born, my race, and my gender. I have seen posts from peers whom I respect deeply, advising those that do not fit into the concerned demographic that we should refrain from adding to the conversation. Out of love for these people, and understanding of their opinions, I have backed down from including my words in the plethora of pieces written regarding the topic. After much consideration, I have realized that although I do not have the personal experience to tell others what to do at such a time, or to submit my perspective as the truth, writing for Odyssey has given me the incredible opportunity to make my words count, and to make others think. I want to honor that by being open with what I discuss in writing and refrain from running scared from difficult topics when they are this important.

This being said, I want to write this week about something I feel that is too far from the general population’s minds: love. Not the sappy, sickeningly sweet Nicholas Sparks novel love that is without fail 20% off at Target, but the kind that is harder to see, but is even more powerful. I’m talking about the love shown through respect, acceptance, and patience. This is what we need more of right now.

This past week’s events were not at all surprising to most of those who keep up with the news; however, the sheer volume and concentration of violence still remains stunning to many. There is no doubt that this is a particularly tense, tragic time in this country. The senseless deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the consequential murder of five Dallas police officers, have sparked outrage amongst Americans of every possible background, and for good reason. These seven men were fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, boyfriends, and friends. They all had beating hearts and individual thoughts, until, with a single gunshot, they didn’t anymore. Yes, these men were of different backgrounds, including race, but what binds them together is more important than any human characteristic. They were all murdered. This is a trend which is binding more and more bodies that were once living, breathing human beings together, and now connects Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, and Dallas, three cities reeling in the midst of widespread pain, and this must stop. If this is not an indication that something drastic must be done to end gun violence, I have no idea what is.

The most important thing for those of us who are lucky enough to be living and breathing to do right now is to go out of our way to come together with a common goal of widespread, unconditional peace and respect, towards each other, and towards the millions of black Americans who are forced to fear for their lives every day. Now, added to this, the uniformed officers who feel like their work is not respected or appreciated anymore. We need to take time to work to spread peace and love in place of blame and hate.

As shown by this past week’s spiral of events from police brutality to violence against law enforcement, spreading hate does nothing but lead to more hate. This has been proven time and time again. Another tactic must be taken up if we are going to go anywhere, as a nation and as a people. Spreading peace does more; it utilizes positivity to combat those who instill harm in the world. We need love, we need support, and we need it now. These things cannot be taken down by a gun; senseless gun violence cannot put a bullet through a concept as powerful as love. It may make it waver, but it can’t be taken down easily. This has been shown in countless peaceful protests around the country following this past week’s events.

Love comes in all different, beautiful shapes, sizes, and colors, but hate has a single, ugly face, like the barrel of a gun. Be kind, spread the love and acceptance, and be considerate of others in this time of mourning, for Sterling, for Castile, and for Officers Thompson, Zamarripa, Krol, Ahrens, and Smith. The tense undercurrent is still felt in every American city after these days of violence, reminding Americans of some of this nation’s darkest times. With Orlando still fresh in our minds, as we turn to an inevitable new tragedy, we need to focus on the fight to end gun violence, especially against black Americans, so, in a month, we will not be mourning another tragedy which reminds us of this. In the words of Dianna Marshall, quoted on CNN, "We need to get shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand, black and white and come together."

Black lives matter. We need to come together, all races, ages, genders, religions, and past experiences, and spread the message, out of love for our neighbors, not out of hate for law enforcement. We are all just people, trying to live in this world, but for no logical reason, this is harder for those of color. Don't take the inherent right to live away from someone because of his or her race, period. Violence is not the answer here; love is. Respect the movement, respect those fighting, and respect those who can no longer fight.