I'm not even sure what to say in this post. I have so many words and so many feelings about our world today, but am not sure where to begin. I try and refrain from commenting on things I don't know much about. There are a lot of people that like to talk about things that they know nothing about in this world today. I struggle seeing that as I scroll through my newsfeed. I tend to just unfriend these people, attempting to shield myself from their words.
I'm not sure where I fall on the scale when it comes to politics. I guess I lean a little more to one side, but I still think I fall into both parties. But, I do know that I am scared to admit which side I lean towards. I feel that if I were to be honest with my true feelings, I would be generalized as a type of person I most certainly am not. I think today we look at people as their stereotype. Whether that be the stereotype of their skin, the color of their hair, or where they go to school. People are grouped together as one type of person, when we are all distinct individuals. I have experienced that first hand as a white, blonde girl from a privileged town. People tend to not take my opinions seriously as they think my opinions are not my own, but that I learned them from my parents. I hesitate to comment on things and join in group discussions as I am afraid of being looked at superficially or stereotyped.
No one is free from prejudice. I hate that about our world. I grew up comfortable in my skin and comfortable around others, regardless of what they looked like or who they were. It kills me that as I get older, that is starting to shift. I see the prejudice people have towards others and even towards me. None of us are immune from it. And as much as we hate to admit, none of us are immune from stereotyping other people ourselves. What we must do is not respond with anger and violence, but with communication and understanding.
I have lived in Dallas my entire life. I was born here and I will probably live my last days here. With so much violence in the world, and now in our own country, I had wondered out loud to my parent's just a few a weeks before last week's attacks, 'when is it going to be Dallas?' I knew that it would soon be our turn to face the violence - it was only a matter of time. Last Thursday, my prediction came true as I watched the horrific news live with my parents.
I don't know what to say or do from here, but I know one thing. All lives matter. Black and blue. White. Pink. Purple. Red. Who cares. Lives are so precious and so short, why take them away senselessly?
As I leave for another year of college in just under a month, I can't help but be fearful of what is to come. I'm scared something will happen in Austin. But, I will go back to school and love everyone around me. I will be accepting and understanding. I will remember that all lives matter.
Sorry if this post was just a random mess of words to you - to be honest, it's a reflection of what's going on in my mind. Not much clarity, just a lot of confusion.
