To The People Of California | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

To The People Of California

California, we're here for you.

Sally McNamara
Nov 21, 2018
Villanova University
31
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/648/22797348233_8034e0dd3e_b.jpg
Flickr

My heart is broken as I reflect on the past disasters that have devastated your community. I am sure after the shooting, it felt as though nothing worse could happen. What is worse than a night that was supposed to end in a drunken InNOut run ending in a fight for your life in an ambulance? But then the fires came and destroyed so many homes and lives with it.

I don't need to tell you this. You've witnessed it. You've seen the orange hands of destruction. You've choked on the noxious smoke. Your eyes constantly watering. Hearing that your favorite bar is a crime scene. Seeing the faces of the fallen on the local news.

So California, we're here for you.

You with your bountiful beaches, mountains, and vineyards. You with your NorCal and SoCal. With your Boba tea, acai bowls, and vegan propaganda.

We will not forget. This cannot be another mass shooting. Forest fires destroying the lives of thousands cannot be the normal.

We cannot accept this.

We have to fight this.

We have to help.

1 out of 8 US residents lives in California.

1 out 8.

As I sit in my dorm room across the countries, I see the instagram stories of my friends as they beg for thoughts and prayers for their hometowns.

But thoughts and prayers cannot be enough.

Action needs to be taken.

307 mass shootings.

More than 8,800 structures destroyed by fire.

Numbers don't lie.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

92901
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
407700
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
316826
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
279447
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
519168
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments