From acts of terrorism to the nations deadliest shooting, riots and protests on every street corner to increases in narcissism and behavioral issues – I am concerned for what our future looks like as a country.
Being from Des Moines, Iowa, I have grown up safe and sheltered my entire life. I never had the fear of going on nighttime walks and having someone attack me, I have never had my parents talk to me about being fearful of the police, and I most certainly have never been afraid to go anywhere alone.
I suppose there are good and bad things about growing up here – being so safe and sheltered, makes me question after I graduate and want to move away, where can I look to go that is equally as safe as my upbringing in Iowa?
Ultimately, nobody ever wants to feel unsafe because it makes you uncomfortable and violated – and when you feel both of those feelings, you can’t take advantage of living somewhere different and extraordinary.
With the feelings of violation and lack of security, trying to chase your lifetime dreams and goals in another area can be complicated because it's the constant battle of preparing for the worst.
With the recent tragedy of Alton Sterling and the Pulse nightclub shooting, my heart has never ached more for the families and communities that have been affected.
However, it doesn't just start and end with Alton and the Pulse nightclub victims – there are so many more tragedies out there such as the Brock Turner rape case, school shootings, murders and even suicide.
I want you to take a look at the following statistics during the 2015 year on the following tragedies that have occurred throughout our nation:
- The United States is the only country with the most guns per capita (CNN.com).
- Released in 2015, President Obama has delivered statements on 15 shootings during his time in office – and the number has since grown (CNN.com).
- There is an average of 293,066 people (12 and older) who are victims of rape and sexual assault each year (VisualNews.com).
- Only 32 percent of rapes are reported (VisualNews.com).
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (AFSP.org).
- Firearms account for almost 50 percent of all suicides (AFSP.org).
- Approximately one in five adults in the U.S. experience mental illness in a given year (NAMI.org).
- Approximately one in five youth aged 13-18 experience as severe mental disorder at some point during their life (NAMI.org).
With all of that information, I got to thinking – why is this all happening? What are the causes?
Is it just pure hate and evil?
Possibly.
Or I thought, maybe this has to do with the rise of social media, instant gratification and the fact that even the smallest thing like what Kim Kardashian ate for breakfast is being televised and mass-produced to the entire world.
Every little thing is being publicized, so some might see a news story about them as their shot at fame.
We are constantly seeking something in order to satisfy our very needs. There are several individuals out there that need constant attention and gratification from others.
Everyone is being subjected to pressure to be a certain way, to act a specific way in order to “fit in” or maybe they just need excitement in their life because they can’t create their own.
The advances of technology are amazing and a blessing – but after awhile, people get bored and our minds are changing due to the amount of time we spend with technology.
I want to believe that there are still good, wholehearted people in the world – but I’m beginning to think with everything that has transpired, there is little to no love or hope left within people and this nation for that matter.
Something needs to change.
It starts with us; it starts with our leaders, our politicians and activists. We can’t do this alone or within our selective groups.
The worst thing we can do as a nation is create a divide during the worst of times.
We have to change together to stop the hate, to stop the violence and to change the direction of our future to keep it a safe haven for all.
After all, we are considered one of the best countries in the world, yet we’re nowhere near acting like it.
Wake up, America. Nobody should ever feel unsafe here.
