Why All Lives Matter | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why All Lives Matter

And why we should all love each other.

604
Why All Lives Matter
Funny Or Die

Day in, day out I read: “___ shot last night” or “___ killed in shooting." Sometimes it’s black people. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s a classmate or someone we care about. Other times, it’s just a name on the news.

I don’t pretend to know the names of the two black men who were murdered by the policemen who swore to protect them because frankly, I’ve already read too much about these same types of people before and I don’t feel like ruining my already terrible day. Truth is, there’s so much outrage on social media, but no one can really change it.

Now before you crucify me, hear me out. Hispanics (Mexican in particular) and Asians are isolated just as much, if not more in our modern society, yet there is much, much less of an outcry. In fact, MORE white people have been killed by the police in 2015 than blacks. So before you cry to me about how “Black Lives Matter," which connotates that black lives are more important than any other life, I suggest otherwise.

Here’s the other nagging issue -- the reason I say black lives don’t matter is because no matter how much we cry out on social media that things have to change and that police should be punished, the fact is nothing has changed and nobody but the families of the deceased are being punished. Since Trayvon Martin, nothing has changed, except for the accelerated gun violence in the United States. Am I wrong?

I’m not a supporter of Black Lives Matter because I don’t have time for many hobbies (that’s a joke) and also because I’m a supporter of ALL Lives Matter. Because when you put a name on something, it makes it sound exclusive, when it really wasn’t designed to be.

I go to a gym that is predominantly Black and Asian. I once asked one of my white friends, “Why don’t you ever play basketball at the gym?” and he replied with “Because I never get picked up.” This surprised me, because he was quite good at basketball so I asked again, “Why not? Even I get picked up.” The answer I got was eye-opening.

“Because black people don’t like white people.”

That in itself is the problem. Do we have to hate each other so much? Hate breeds more hate and there’s only a matter of time before that hatred translates into violence. Honestly, we don’t even need tighter gun control laws. All we need to do is start loving each other.

Black Lives Don’t Matter, White Lives Don’t Matter, Hispanic Lives Don’t Matter, Asian Lives Don’t Matter. Stop putting a name on everything.

All Lives Matter.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

523
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Things That Describe You and Your College Friends

The craziest, funniest, and most unforgettable college memories are impossible to create without an amazing group of friends.

297
College Friends
Marina Lombardi

1. You'll never run out of clothes when you have at least four closets to choose from.

2. You embrace and encourage each other’s horrible, yet remarkable dance moves.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments