“The images [surrounding Alton Sterling’s death] played over and over in my head like a broken record: officers slamming Alton against a car, kneeing him in the throat, and shooting him repeatedly. I felt sick.”
It is sensible to think that these words came from someone who holds a high position within the social justice system. It’s reasonable to say that these words might not sting as much if America wasn’t already attempting to heal from recent tragedy–but that’s unfortunately not the case. These words were written by Upworthy.com contributor Kayla Stewart, and they’re as frightening as they are true.
Like many, Stewart felt the need to express her thoughts on Alton Sterling’s death–maintaining an understanding, sensible level of professionalism as a journalist. That’s the job of a journalist, but what about the aspects of being human? If someone in the journalistic world is assigned this story, is it OK for them to show emotion? Where does one draw the line–knowing that the country is already trying to heal from a previous loss of human life? Do they draw that line at all, or do they even have a choice?
It seems as wounds are being reopened in light of Sterling’s passing, recurring thoughts and ideals are being re-introduced and reinforced. In fact, the headline of Stewart’s July 6 piece deals with #BlackLivesMatter and how the meaning behind that hashtag is being shamefully tarnished, particularly seeing how Sterling was a husband and father. Stewart goes on to say that pondering this whole situation makes her “exhausted”. The video above, which shows the full press conference that the Baton Rouge Police Department held earlier this week, is a testament to the painful resurfacing of such ideals.
For me, the one detail that Stewart mentioned that really stood out, is that Sterling is now the 558th individual to be shot and killed by police in 2016 alone. With a statistic like that, I have to ask: What’s it going to take to preserve human life? What’s it going to take to preserve humanity? I understand there are rules and regulations, but the growing death rate is almost too much to take in. Even if someone who’s been shot got away with injuries or even a disability, I think it would be better than families having to bury their sons, husbands, brothers, mothers and sisters.
So, perhaps we should look at the facts and statistics differently–or maybe not think of them as a number in America’s history. It would rather easy to do so and say, “Another person died today”–but we must remember that person was known and loved by someone in this world, and those who mourn that person’s death are at a greater loss than you and I are.
Finally, consider this: Instead of adding to this tide of anger, perhaps we should consider the quality of life–not just ourselves, but for our fellow man. Maybe it’s time we assess or re-assess our own meaning and quality of life.
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