Lives Lost Due To Senseless Gun Violence | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Lives Lost Due To Senseless Gun Violence

After Speaking Out Against Gun Violence, Roderick "Treyvon" Godfrey Lost His Life

154
Lives Lost Due To Senseless Gun Violence

Nowadays, it seems extremely easy for folks to gain access to guns on the streets rather than in stores. Most crime today occurs in the streets, taking away the lives of many people as we know it. Where I come from, gun violence ain’t nothing new. Growing up in the hood introduces you to the world of violence—gangs, murder, and pure hatred. The sad part is, for centuries, our ancestors fought for our freedom today, helping one another break free of the shackles we were tied to. And today? It’s a totally different story—it seems as though there is more crime than ever in the black community committed by the black community. Yes, #BLACKLIVESMATTER, but why don’t black lives seem to matter on the streets in our very own neighborhoods that we all grew up in together? We see and hear about so much gun violence because someone is wearing a particular color or because someone looked at someone a particular or even just for nothing—mistaken identity or even due to a stray bullet. It honestly needs to stop!

 

About a month ago or so, a young African American man by the name of Roderick “Treyvon” Godfrey was shot and killed in broad daylight in Oakland, California. He was 19 years old and became a subject of gun violence—the very topic he spoke against at a town hall months prior to his death. The town hall, hosted by Representative Barbara Lee (D-California), was established to discuss the string of senseless gun violence that has plagued the communities in Oakland. At the town hall, Godfrey stated that “in 2015, [he] lost about eight friends to guns.” According to The Huffington Post, Godfrey recalled an additional two friends who had been shot in the face but survived, and the anguish of his mother after his own brother was also shot.

You never really hear much about gun reform and different strategies Congress may have for the prevention of gun violence. Ask yourself these question: Why is it so much for easier for a kid to get a gun rather than a book or laptop? Why is it so much easier for a child to become educated about the use of guns rather than basic English and many other necessary topics needed for their advancement?

Today's world is complicated yet obvious. What are the chances of someone speaking out against gun violence and that same someone being shot? I mean, honestly. It's sad. It's disgusting. So many people are unable to see the age of 16, sometimes 18, and sometimes 21 due to gun violence on our streets. We are constantly shouting #BLACKLIVESMATTER because the men and women in blue are continuously shooting us down and excusing their behavior because of some sort of nonexistent fear. But do black lives really matter when we, ourselves, are killing each other every single day in the streets, in our communities? An innocent young man lost his life while moving his car for street cleaning. We have got to do better before we proclaim how much #BlackLivesMatter. It wouldn't make sense to join a movement when we're constantly killing ourselves. There is so much hate against black people as it is; why must we hate each other so much? The #BLM movement should represent African Americans not only gunned down by police officers, but also by each other. Black-on-black crime is just as important as crimes committed by police officers o black people. Why doesn’t the #BLM movement focus on "black-on-black" crime?

This movement seems to only focus on the black lives lost to police encounters and the lack of justice behind such crimes. What it lacks is the focus on black lives lost to other black people. Many people within the Black Lives Matter movement have described "black-on-black" criticisms a diversion that ignores underlying issues like poverty. But how? There's no diversion, but rather the underlying fact that black lives matter in every case...whether it be during police encounters or during other encounters with other black people of the community. It is no secret that gun violence causes tragedy everyday. We need to open our eyes and ears look at the real issues. Yes, black people being killed by law enforcement seems to take over headlines. But, black lives are also at stake in our very own neighborhoods. Take note. Bullets have no name.

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.

147366
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"

36492
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
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

32330
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments