August 28, 1963, was a very important day in history. This day marked the day Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream" in front of a massive crowd. For most people, that day was the start of a fight for equality. Fast-forward to a little over 50 years later. The year is now 2016 and schools are no longer segregated and people are now allowed to marry those they love regardless of race. With so much going on,I think it is only fair to show what it is like in my mind during all the hatred.
I have always been known as the innocent minded and sensitive friend in school. So when I told my friends I was going to college to be in the FBI, most laughed in my face and said I would probably not make it. When I got to school, I started to second guess that and realize I want to be a police officer. Right before I moved away to go to college in 2015, police brutality became the new headlines everywhere. “Stop the pigs” was something I witnessed on my newsfeed day to day along with hashtags of the people who lost their lives due to the police officers. I decided to not say anything and instead be the light for others. I have always been taught that love is the only thing to overcome hatred, so I decided to just stick with that motto. However, with me going to school to be the “pigs” these people are bashing, hurt. I sat back and realized that the same people begging to stop stereotyping are stereotyping all the police officers into one category. How can you fight for peace when your words are speaking war?
I have always seen people as they are on the inside, not on the outside. The media, however, does not. The media brings out hatred and multiplies it to reach a specific group of people. Whether that group is teens, adults, animal lovers, children, etc. It just so happens with all this going on, the media is focusing on African Americans. I did a search out of curiosity of how many people were murdered by police during the first six months of 2016. The numbers might shock some, while others might not be. According to thinkprogress.org, 580 people were killed, many who they say were mentally-ill, not armed, and white. Yep, you read that correctly, white. What this website and others don’t account either, are how many lives officers saved. Why? Because the media is out to get into anyone’s head that they think have power. I guarantee officers save at least that many PER state every shift. Philando Castile and Alton Sterling were wrongfully murdered, and the police responsible should pay. However, I do not think color had to do with this. I think a hateful heart did. No one, except for the police responsible, knows exactly why the men died and it is not fair for us to assume. I love everyone and will fight for everyone until I die. Let's not let the hate overpower the love in this world, because that is when America becomes the place people flee.
All cops aren't bad. All blacks aren't thugs. All whites aren't racist. All Muslims aren't terrorists. All Hispanics aren't illegal. But, we are all people. It is weird how just a few weeks ago we were coming together as a whole population to mourn the deaths of the minorities in Orlando, and now want to block people on social media for having different views than ours.
Over 97 percent of police officers go to work every day to protect citizens, regardless of race. The other less than 3 percent are corrupt and are out to stir hatred in America. Who will you let win?
#BlackAndBlueLivesMatter
