As I lie in my bed, following the events that took place in Lafayette, Louisiana and all the other horrific events of recent times, tears trickle down my face and I ask myself, “When will it end?” When will the tears end, the crying out, the innocent bloodshed, and the countless lives being lost due to the reckless and cruel nature of the American citizens? When will it end? I speak for a nation; we’re fed up, crying out in search of answers to this ongoing and rapidly growing epidemic.
Sandra Bland, a young, ambitious, black woman was found dead in her jail cell in Waller County, Texas on July 13, 2015. Bland was pulled over due to a fail-to-signal for a lane change and the situation escalated quickly. Bland was handcuffed and arrested, but the nature that the officer went about it was very harsh. The officer caused her damage to her head, prohibiting her from hearing and the cop and his partner did not seem the least bit worried about her well-being. Eventually, she was brought to the station and the next thing was that the country had been informed of her death. The cops are saying that she committed suicide and her family and many others believe she was murdered. Another young black life lost and the world is in awe. Whether her death was due to police brutality or just neglect by the officers, she died in the custody of police officers. When will it end?
A measly three days later, on July 16, 2015, Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Skip Wells, Petty Officer Randall Smith, were all killed at the naval training center in Chattanooga, TN, American soil. These men had all made the decision to put their lives on the line for their country by just joining the marines. But they were killed at their own base in the United States. Five brave men willing to do anything for their country killed in their own home, five innocent lives lost. When will it end?
The night of July 23, 2015, travesty struck again. In one of the happiest city in the country, Lafayette, LA, a crazy shooter had his way. Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux both lost their lives by the hand of the shooter and nine others were wounded. A night that should’ve been filled with laughter for everyone in attendance ended in tears and bloodshed. This is the second shooting that has taken place in a movie theater in recent times. Is this the norm for the United States now? When will it end?
When will the unnecessary deaths and bloodshed end? What are we doing wrong as a country? Lives are lost, we tweet, we say prayers, we pay our respects, and in the blink of an eye, it all happens again. When will, we, as a country, say enough is enough and reclaim this beautiful land we all call home? Let these victims names resonate in your mind but more importantly, in your heart. They're all pieces of this great country that were chipped way to soon.The lives being lost are innumerable and the tears shed will constantly flow. When will it end?
