Violence, the act that dates back to the beginning of mankind itself.
Violence has been one of mankind’s greatest let down. We’ve spent all of our time fighting and arguing. We’ve spent all of our time pushing and shoving. We’ve spent all of our time “claiming what’s rightfully ours”. We’ve spent all of our time asserting our authority. Showing manliness, showing pride, striking fear in other, convincing others of what is right/true, proving a point, settling a debt, “He started it”, “He said, she said”, and even ‘just because’. These are just SOME of the EXCUSES for violence. But why can’t we see that violence isn’t the answer? Why can’t we see that beating someone up for bumping into your wife by an accident is irrational? Why can’t we see that going to other countries and murdering people to find someone that they are supposedly hiding ISN’T RIGHT?! I could go on and on for days on this route. The point is not to change the past but to change the future. We, the people, can change who we are and what we see is right or wrong. Our government doesn’t have control over us in that regard. Every individual is just that, an individual. To ask the world to change is a rather daring request. But to ask yourself to change is just as daring when you think about it. Changing yourself is the first step to changing the world. Start with the person you look at in the mirror. Is that person who you want the world to resemble? If not, then how can you ask anyone else to change when you haven’t? That’s where it all begins.
Violence seems to have been socially accepted in the history of our species. Wars, oppressions, genocides, killing for property, and hate crimes are nothing unseen in the pages of humans’ history on earth. These things still go on to this day… This very second there are wars with people dying for an ideology or for a piece of land. In order for our society to advance the violence HAS to stop! Nuclear warfare should be used to blow up meteors that threaten our planet, not to cold bloodedly murder innocent people because of a disagreement! It’s impossible to name all the things we can change because there are so many. But the first step is acceptance. Of yourself, of others, of everyone. If we ever get that far our society will start producing things that could have never been imagined. But until then, we will always be focused on weapons to fight our neighbors and enemies.
Now this is the part of my writing that hits home. Gender Violence. I can’t even gather my thoughts on this topic because I feel as if whatever I write will sound so opinionated that readers will consider my thoughts biased. But to be honest, they are. Gender violence is an epidemic on this planet and we need to acknowledge that or else we will end up in a dark place not knowing how we got there. Sexual assault, hitting women, rape, and even emotional abuse are wide spread issues that have been increasing as time progresses. The survivors of these life changing crimes are often left unheard and this causes them to think it’s themselves against the world. People who go through these crimes are forever scarred and have to live with what happened to them. And some people have the AUDACITY to say ‘she was asking for it’!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A woman cannot dress pretty/sexy (in accordance to societies completely ridiculous scale of beauty) without being considered wanting to be raped? OH MY LORD ALMIGHTY! NO! NO! NO! THAT IS NOT RIGHT! Any opposing argument is invalid! Rape is NEVER okay! The fact that not only people have justified rape, but also the court system has done so is beyond appalling. THE FLIPPIN’ COURT SAID A WOMAN THAT WAS RAPED HAD JEANS THAT WERE SO TIGHT THAT SHE MUST HAVE HELPED TAKE THEM OFF!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1270113/Youre-guilty-rape-Those-skinny-jeans-tight-remove-jury-rules.html
WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT???!!?!?!?!?!?!
How does one even come to this conclusion? I am not saying that every person that claims to have been raped should be treated with extra privilege. But if the evidence is there and the story makes sense and they have proof then WHO ARE YOU to tell them otherwise? ESPECIALLY TO GO AND SPECULATE ABOUT THEIR JEANS!? I am sorry that I am writing so emotionally but this just infuriates me. Gender violence is a very moving topic to me which is why I am involved on Lehigh University's Womens Center. I am a part of a group that helps stop gender violence on campus and help survivors obtain the support and resources that they need. But I think you understand my view on gender violence and my frustration at the way society has chosen to handle it. People need to realize what gender violence is and how much it affect not only the people who are involved but it also effects their family and friends.
Violence has found a common place in society. From music to television shows to movies. Violence is portrayed as 'cool' or normal in all these types of media. I like to listen to rap music, particularly Drake, and the lyrics are just SO RIDICULOUS sometimes. Drake has lyrics that have meaning and I respect him a great amount for it. But I was listening to rap and I heard a song that said "Imma beat the pu**y up". How is that okay? Please tell me when making love or even having fun sex turned into a synonym with violence. And that doesn't even include the killing and gun promotion that goes along with music as well.
Violence is something that comes natural to us humans. A sort of instinct. But does that make it okay? My answer has been made very clear. I wish that peace, love, and happiness would fill everyone's hearts and we could live harmoniously. But as of right now, that is merely a dream. Every person does not have to try and change the world but if you change yourself you are helping the cause. I am doing my part... Are you?
