Do Black Lives Really Matter? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Do Black Lives Really Matter?

Yes.

15
Do Black Lives Really Matter?
Scott Olson

Do black lives really matter?

We live in a world where life is constantly changing for many individuals. The way humanity operates has certainly evolved throughout each generation. The ability to use technology to capture pictures and videos in seconds has refined the landscape of our society currently and for generations to come. Today, we see an America that is even more divided than it was when the Civil War was about to erupt. America is supposed to be the land of opportunity and represent the ideals of freedom, but the issue of mistreatment of its citizens by the government that protects us is thrown to the side like trash repeatedly. How many black and brown men will have to be killed for us to come together? Yes, my President is African American and I am proud of that, but that has not stopped black males from being killed at the hands of police brutality.

In 2016, one can still flip on to the news and see African American men be mistreated and shown no respect at all. In history this is nothing new, but African Americans have always been treated badly and locked in jail, at a higher rate than whites. With the presence of social media in this ever growing media platform, things can now go viral in minutes, and that is allowing the black community to see the violence that is making African American males a target to be killed at any time.

Innocent black lives are being taken left and right. When will we as black men stand up and make things happen? Let’s hope soon, because there aren’t many of us walking around anymore. African American males only make up 6% of the world population. Many of us brothers are already dealing with legal issues, some that includes jail time that is constantly holding us back. We say that Black lives matter but will we put our creative minds together to make the change that we want to see happen? Indeed we can point the blame individually all day long, but to make changes we have to become the system and educate ourselves on the laws of the world. To make the system better we have to stand up for our rights or nobody else will.

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

348267
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
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
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"

215391
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
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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments