In my now 18 years of life, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen Scooby, Shaggy, Daphne, Velma,
and Fred solve countless mysteries, I’ve seen Dora and Boots go on adventures, I’ve seen
Hannah take off her wig and reveal her identity, I’ve seen Raven’s visions. I’ve also seen
Michael Brown in his cap and gown, I’ve seen Eric Garner yelling “I can’t breathe” while a cop
shoved his knee into his chest, I’ve seen Sandra Bland slammed onto the floor during a traffic
stop, I’ve seen Alton Sterling get shot while being pinned to the floor, I’ve seen the pictures of
the Las Vegas shooting, I’ve seen the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, I’ve seen
myself in the 17 Parkland shooting Victims. I’ve seen countless of injustices and no change. I’ve
seen white people run and fake out cops and not get shot and I wondered why they didn’t shoot
them. I don’t wonder anymore because I know. Black people are more likely to die for a traffic
stop than a white person is when they point a gun at officers. Black people live with that fear.
No, I’m not discrediting everyone’s experiences with cops, I’m recognizing the dangers black
people face when they simply exist. I’m not going to say I know what it feels like, because yes,
while I do feel fear when I see a cop, I know it doesn’t come close to the fear black people feel
when they go out. I’m not going to act like I know what it feels like, and it’d be stupid if I did.
Instead, I ask that you listen to your black peers and listen to them. Do not try to pick up their
burdens, do not try to say “well, actually,” just listen to them. Listen to marginalized people
when they speak. If you ever wonder or think about what marginalized people experience, start
listening to them. If you’re white, recognize the power you have. People are more likely to listen
when white people agree. When I say I see myself in shooting victims, it’s because school
shootings are becoming more and more common. I’m horrified when I hear the doors in the J
building slam, I’m horrified when someone reaches into their bag for an extended period of time,
I’m horrified when I hear any loud noise at any given time during the school day. Even if you try
to say that the likelihood of a school shooting is low, you can’t deny the deafening silence you
hear when someone pops a bag of chips or there’s a loud bang during lunch or one of your
classes. We can all be victims when there’s nothing stopping us from becoming another mass
shooting on the news. We need change, simply put. As grateful as I am that I haven’t
experienced a school shooting in my 4+ years of attending school, I have 3 months left. I am not
out of the woods. My friends who have 1, 2, or 3 years left aren’t out of the woods. The
countless number of kids barely going into school aren’t out of the woods. Circling back around,
if you want to be a good ally for anything, listen. If you’re not sure about something, ask
someone. There’s nothing wrong in wanting to better understand something and wanting
clarification. And most importantly, ask yourself: Are you speaking with them or over them?
The topic you chose to write about is very interesting because it covers a wide range of issues occurring in today's society. However, it is still relevant nonetheless. The same feelings you feel about your surroundings are the same for numerous students and people in general because of the lack of change or attention that is given to these problems. With pieces such as this one it sheds some light and perspective onto recurring and tragic events. -Toby Ortega
ReplyDeleteDang. Reading this and its sudden shift in tone was a bit scary, but everything you said was truthful and Iḿ glad you understand the big concerning matters in the world right now. #Staywoke
ReplyDeleteAlthough this topic is very controversial, especially with pro gun and anti gun, this is very powerful and contradicting, especially in this cruel society that there isn't enough attention. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI love how honest this piece is. You really seem passionate about this topic and I think you succeeded in bringing awareness to it.
ReplyDelete-Brooke Vanassa
This is a very powerful piece, and I love how you kept the theme of listening to marginalized people flowing throughout the different topics you covered. Your last line is a strong takeaway from the entire writing, good job!
ReplyDelete-Megan Woodall
This was a very impactful piece. It was simply just eye-opening and well said. Your set up of the piece covered the basis of one of the most common issues in today's society. Your transitioning into this piece was very enthralling and from there on out, the piece was so creative and needs to be published everywhere for more people to read. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete-Amanda Boo
Your piece was very interesting and it covered many of the issues that are occurring in today's society. Thank you for writing your piece, you explained exactly how many of students around the country feel and think about our society's issues with gun violence. You're shining a light on situations that need a change for a safer environment in school's. - Belen Delgadillo
ReplyDeleteThis piece really touched me and gave me a lot to think about. You and I both know individuals who consider themselves allies but still speak over the voices of the marginalized instead of helping to project them. I, too, share the same fears that you face, and thank you for writing a piece that is honest and well articulated :)
ReplyDelete- Sadaf
this may be my favorite piece i have read in a while, i completely understand your point and it was beautifully delivered clearly and in no way can anyone miss your point. as someone who has faced discrimination due to religion in my home country i completely understand what that fear is and how it can control one's life. i also relate to the extreme fear of school shootings as my elementary school went into lock down when someone was reported with a rifle gun on the highway looking into our school grounds (this is all in Egypt, and it was a catholic school) i appreciate that its not just the people in danger that are speaking up about this, its other people too, who want the world to change for the better.
ReplyDeleteNathalie Boutros
Diana, I love that you chose to write about this controversial topic. I can tell you're extremely passionate about it. We do need change and we need it now. Thank you for writing this. -Leslie Marquez
ReplyDeleteWOW! this was a very touching piece . i love controversial pieces being that everyone has a different outlook on them but i share similar views to those you expressed. You made various relevant and important views about society and i enjoyed reading it!! -harmony fowler
ReplyDeleteThis piece is very interesting, because your shed light onto unheard thoughts. It seems like everyone is thinking about something, but no one every speaks up, so there is no chance to move on or even work through any social issues that we are facing. Overall, really great job, and really enlightening, because a lot of us do share the same fears and concerns, it just some of us are unable to speak up....so props to you for being one of the few that do :).
ReplyDelete- Royston Kennedy
This piece was so well written because the reader can hear the passion in your voice. The world has dangers like this that we can towards fixing if people simply listen to those around them and try to change them instead of acting like nothing can be done to change. You wrote so well and your piece flowed smoothly I loved it! -Stephanie Martinez
ReplyDeleteDiana, this is such an important topic and I'm glad that you wrote such a wonderful piece about it. I agree with you wholeheartedly, and your last line is very poignant and eye opening. Thank you for reminding me how to be a better ally!
ReplyDelete- Jessica Sears
Thank you for pointing out the silent fears we all have but won't admit and recognizing the suppression of the voices of the marginalized when they speak out.
ReplyDelete-Gabriel Villanueva