That's Not All, Folks
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

That's Not All, Folks

Don't let the quiet week fool you, there's still plenty of crazy that can happen in the next four months.

13
That's Not All, Folks
Recode

With everything that has happened the last few weeks, it’s pretty much normal to feel like the world is about to end. From the murders of several cooperative African Americans, to the completely unwarranted and apparently “mistaken” shooting of another innocent African American, to the deaths of five Dallas police officers, to the announcement of Indiana governor Mike Pence as VP and everything in between -- it’s been an insane past couple of weeks. So much so that the feeling of anxiety and fear has become ordinary, and acts like these, while still heartbreaking, are becoming less shocking. I’ve had trouble for the past several weeks to narrow down an event that I wanted to write about, but the chaos kept coming and I couldn’t pick just one. However, other than the DNC this week, amazingly, nothing unexpected happened.

What’s really amazing though, or more likely, terrifying, is the fact that it’s surprising when nothing crazy happens during a particular week. Of course, there have definitely been several weeks this year where nothing of notice actually happened, but with the overall unpredictability of this past year, and the sudden occurrence of several very real nightmares occurring all in the span of a few weeks, it’s not hard to see why everyone has fallen into the habit of quietly anticipating and bracing themselves for the next “breaking news” story. And although the focus has been primarily on America since the beginning of 2016, other countries have definitely tried to steal our spot light. England left the EU in a move they called Brexit, some driver decided that roads were too mainstream and crashed a truck into a busy area of Paris, Germany shopping mall patrons regretted making a certain day shopping day, and Nice, France, realized that just because its name was Nice doesn’t mean that other people have to be nice as well.

Now, although it’s been a pretty quiet week, I’m sure that with the conclusion of the DNC and the acceptance of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee (one small step for man, one giant leap for woman kind), I’m sure that we’ll see the focus start to shift from the political to the destructive and violent once again. I mean, it’s 2016 in America for goodness’ sake. It should mean equal rights for everyone, the absence of discrimination, and the ability for any citizen to survive and be successful. Instead, all it means is that people are still dying (being killed), still losing (being discriminated against) and still struggling (being oppressed and ignored).

What’s funny is that the numbers no longer seem to matter. It doesn’t matter what year it is, or what year it will be. All that matters is what that year or that time period will be associated with in the future. Just because it’s 2016 doesn’t mean that everything is peaches and cream. What it does mean is that future history students will learn that it was the year we let a modern day Hitler close enough to power that he may actually win the presidency and that we valued the ownership of guns and lethal weapons more than actual human lives and overall safety.

I really hope I never become a history teacher because I’d never be able to explain to my students why any of this was allowed to happen. Who knows? Maybe one day researchers and historians will be able to come up with some sort of excuse for our behavior this year. Air borne chemicals? GMOs? Hypnotic brain waves? Whatever it is, it’s only the end of July. We still have a lot of year left before us.

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

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38565
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22934
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949400
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126598
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments