I feel the need to preface this article with a reminder that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You might not agree with what I have to say, but that’s the beauty of freedom of speech.
Anyone who knows me will be the first to tell you that I am a very passionate person. I have my beliefs and am rarely left speechless. As the daughter of a police officer, I worry about anything and everything. I am able to recognize the fact that there are a select group of individuals who have it out for my father. However, I can't help but wonder when we were told to pick sides. Now more than ever, the nation seems to be divided between those proclaiming black lives matter and those who wear a uniform. The media has the power to twist and manipulate the truth into a racially fueled newsworthy headline. I'm not saying this is always the case, but we can't believe every little thing we see on CNN or Fox News.
In the past, cell phone videos have been trimmed down to ten second clips used to incriminate law enforcement and promote the personal agenda of minorities. With the help of modern technology, anyone can be turned into an instant villain. We are ambushed with images of police brutality, and without further investigation, we blindly choose to believe that officers are wolves in sheep's clothing. However, reporters often times "forget" to mention the victim's criminal history.
Officers are trained to use violence as a last resort, but when an individual refuses to cooperate and becomes a threat to the well being of others, you've gotta do what you've gotta do. I can speak on my behalf of my father when I say you must treat others the way you wish to be treated. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. No one in their right mind would willingly take the life of another. ALL lives matter.
As for those of you saying the Dallas police officers had it coming, I beg of you to think twice before opening your mouth. There are daughters who will never know the joy of walking down the aisle with their father and sons who unknowingly played their last game of catch. Do not bite the hand that feeds you; police officers are some of the most selfless men and women with the biggest hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those epic heroes who lost their lives on July 7, 2016.
