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This Is Not A Gun

An abridged list of things police have recently mistaken for guns, and why this injustice needs to stop.

Athena Abadilla

Sep 26, 2016

Barnard College

Beyoncé via Bustle

Last week, on September 21st, the world celebrated International Peace Day. However, it was nothing near what most would think of as a celebration; for it was shrouded in pain. This whole month has been, yet again, a tragic chapter in our story of resilience.

As time passes, we see more and more innocent lives ripped apart by the misjudgments of those whose jobs supposedly center around protecting our communities. This is only a small excerpt of the lengthily list of mistaken objects, names, dates, and places for which our American hierarchy has failed us.

1. Skittles

Trayvon Martin (17) - February 2012 | Sanford, Florida | shot not by a police officer but another man of authority.

2. A Toy Truck

Charles Kinsey (23), - July 2016 | Miami, Florida | caretaker of autistic man holding toy truck.

3. A Toy Gun

Tamir Rice (12) - November 2014 | Cleveland, Ohio

Tyree King (13) - September 2016 | Columbus, Ohio

4. A Pill Bottle

Rumain Brisbon (34) - December 2014 | Phoenix, Arizona

5. A Book (by the family's account)

Keith Lamont Scott (43) - September 2016 | Charlotte, North Carolina

6. Unarmed

Terrence Crutcher (40) - September 2016 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | stuck on the road with car troubles

And countless others for which we take a moment of silence...

Every day I see a name turned into a hashtag of commemoration and of protest, I question the system we live under. What is police officer training if it does not involve maintaining the most basic respect for human life even under high pressure? Why do those in power feel little remorse in oppressing, hurting, and killing our vulnerable brothers and sisters?

Click this link, courtesy of the "Killed By Police" community, to see a listing of all the victims involved in these terrible police shootings. These are far more than just objects, names, dates, and places. These are families struck by tragic and unjustifiable loss.Why can't people understand?Our lives are not disposable.

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This Is Not A Gun

An abridged list of things police have recently mistaken for guns, and why this injustice needs to stop.

1. Skittles

2. A Toy Truck

3. A Toy Gun

4. A Pill Bottle

5. A Book (by the family's account)

6. Unarmed

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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