First off, I would like to send my condolences and prayers to all of those who have been innocently affected by negligence, affected by racism, affected by the stupid idea of a stereotype. I know that writing an Odyssey article won't do much change, but I am speaking out that I will stand with this movement, this cry for change in America.

Over the past few days, I have been scrolling through different social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and those feeds are filled with posts of upset, rage, even fear of what is occurring in America in 2016. When I was in grade school, we learned of the history in America, the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. but after we concluded the chapters in our history books, most of us naive children assumed that those events in our nation's history have concluded. But it's all wrong.

I am a white, female, woman. I do not face the judgement that those who are black do, and I am sorry. I am sorry that some people are like this, some people are filled with so much hate and negligence. Fortunate for me, I was raised with a heart and mind full of love; I was taught to look past the exterior, that a skin color does not depict who a person is. I stand with all of those who are suffering.

We not only want change, but we need change. I have seen several of my Facebook friends post about not remaining silent anymore, not trying to just push away the facts that keep coming. I applaud everyone who has spoken out, who has done some sort of action somehow.

In times like these, I urge everyone to take a look at a few quotes that I have always found motivating. I know that a few words won't make any difference, but it is better than nothing. People speaking out, sending condolences, sending prayers, it is all better than nothing.

"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then the world will know the blessings of peace." - William E. Gladstone

"It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa

"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves." - Dalai Lama

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

#blacklivesmatter