Time and time again I notice people who don’t value their own life.  Society seems to have desensitized us so much that it’s nothing to do harm, or even kill, another human being.  Recently on the news, there was a dude in Hollywood who had simply snapped, and started shooting at innocent people in the middle of the street.  He was eventually shot and killed by police officers.

Why do so many feel like they are “supposed’ to have what they have?  Why do so many forget that many people before them DIED in the pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality?  I always seem to think about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in particular when I ask myself these questions.  Martin and Malcolm had done what 99% of kids today would be afraid to do…stand up and speak for what they felt was right.  Ultimately, they both wanted EVERYONE to be considered equal, although the methods to achieving the goal were considered opposites.

And the sad part is that today there are STILL lynchings, inequality, and injustice taking place.  We seem to only want to notice society’s ills on the 11 o’clock news, or on the internet.  There should have been an uproar all throughout the U.S. when Oscar Grant was murdered.  What if Oscar Grant was ME?  I, like Oscar, have  a daughter to raise.  I don’t want to feel like I could become a victim by those that are supposed to “protect and serve” me.  NO ONE should feel this way.  This kind of response isn’t really “rebellious” , but simply a “respect me, I’m human” response!

In order for us to see REAL change, we ALL must be willing to speak out, to take action for what is right.  Also, it’s important for the older generation to let the younger generation know what was sacrificed so that they could be someone today.  This level of change will not happen overnight, or in a few years.  It starts with YOU, and should eventually branch out to those around you.  Just because things are the way they are today, doesn’t mean they are the “right” things!  Can you imagine 100 years from now, children in school studying us right now?  I’m sure the kids will say “why didn’t anyone take drastic measures to stop the AIDS epidemic”  or “cancer could have been a minor problem for them back then if they focused on consuming better foods”.  Just like how today, we look back at slavery or Jim Crow, kids 100 years from now will look at us today and shake their heads.

But again, it all starts with us…right this second!