inhumane
“We fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrifice something to give something up. ”
“A second chance is where we are at our best. When we support each other not when we cancel each other for past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption. ”
I was listening to Joaquin Phoenix’s speech from the Oscar’s in 2020 and these two quotes really resonated with me. I was having my little shower thoughts the other night and I was thinking how this life is too barbaric. We slaughter innocent lives, and we take what’s not ours. Every living being deserves rights. It’s like how we’re raising humans just to be murdered in schools, on the streets, in the grocery store, at a club, etc. It is preposterous. We become oblivious to what is going on all around us because like what Joaquin said, we fear change. We would rather allow things to stay the same because it’s what we are used to, as long as everything continues to be normal in our own lives, then we lose the true focus on the world. But, as soon as something happens close to home, that’s when we start to demand change. We should be striving every single day to make a difference to this cruel world. We treat others unfairly just because they have less than us. Not one single person should have to endure punishment for being different.
The awful story of Tyre Nichols has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. I tend to turn my head away from the news because it’s so real and unbelievable. To know that this innocent soul was making his way home just to be beaten senseless by the ones we’re supposed to turn to for help is mind blowing. How are we to feel safe when our so called “protectors” are turning against us? When will we be able to enjoy life instead of worrying when the next tragedy will strike? Every single individual that was murdered by the hands of our so-called heroes aka the police, deserve to still be alive today. It’s unfair that just because they were given the power to choose between right or wrong, doesn’t give them the right to decide when someone deserves to die. They let all of that power go to their heads, and they lose sight on how a human being should be treated. We all have rights, we were all born in the same world, we all were created the same on the inside. The officers and EMTs stood around and watched, that’s also what we are doing. We stand around and watch what’s happening to this crumbling society instead of interfering and putting an end to it.
My voice is so small in a world so big, but still I write. I write because this world is a gift, yet we’re treating it so poorly. Mankind is selfish and ungrateful. It’s always want, want, want, instead of being satisfied with what we have right in front of us. I don’t want to sit around and watch this earth be taken from me. This is my home; this is our safe haven. If we grant the higher up access to walk all over of us, then that’s what they will do. They will take everything until there’s nothing left. I want to protect the innocent and be the voice for the voiceless. I wish for a better world. I’m tired of humans letting their own enjoyment and pleasure outwin when it comes to locking animals in a cage. I wish they could be free, instead of being gawked at behind bars in a zoo. I wish racial equality wasn’t an issue anymore, but sadly it is. We let race be the deciding factor when it comes to whether someone is a good person or not.
The second quote by Joaquin Phoenix hits home to me. We’re so quick to let the actions of others be how we see them as a person whether it’s because of the mistakes they’ve made, or what they have experienced in their past. We let the negative side of them overrule their entire persona. If we spent the time building each other up and accepting every single aspect, good or bad then that’s how society could thrive. Achievement at building a better life for ourselves and for the future generation starts with forgiveness and acceptance.
So, while you’re picking up your expensive latte, or buying the latest iPhone, or complaining that you have to wake up to go to work… remember the ones that were not fortunate enough to wake up the next day. Do what scares you the most, take a risk, and speak up. Don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard. You’re still alive, be grateful that you’re free to choose what kind of future you want for yourself. Start striving towards making a difference, even if it is a small one, the important part is knowing you had a say in this place we call home.
