by Jocelyn Ponce
It seems, when you turn on the news these days all you hear is bad news. Violence is everywhere and terrorism is on the news more now than ever. All around the world and here in the United States, it affects everyone, and sadly the amount seems to grow. It is a tragedy of epic proportion.
According to the site “New America” after the 9/11 attack, 95 more people were killed inside the U.S due to terrorism, including the attack in Orlando, in which 49 people were killed and many were injured. We are constantly hearing of terrorism outside the U.S as well, which seems to be getting worse. CNN’s website also reported that terrorism has increased since 2015, stating “The developed world became more dangerous in 2015 with a massive increase in deaths from terrorism…” Terrorism has hurt so many, you may even know a victim of terrorism, or someone who does. From New York and Orlando to Charlottesville, Virginia, and throughout the world, our hearts go out to them. You will not be forgotten!
We will not forget all the brave soldiers who are striving and battling to keep us safe as well. Those out there who are around the world protecting their country and our global neighbors must be remembered. According to an article in Wikipedia as of October 2016 there were 2,386 U.S. military deaths in the war in Afghanistan, with 20,049 American Service members wounded. That is from 2016 alone, for all the soldier we are grateful because them and their families are heroes.
Through the hardships, we continue moving forward. We are made up of brave individuals, soldiers, officers, volunteers, and yes parents, teachers, and students also. We are constantly hoping for a better future, where dreams become reality, and success is at our fingertips. But mostly we hope for peace, wanting a better place for ourselves, for our siblings, and all of our family and neighbors. We can make this hope a reality by just showing kindness to one another, even in the smallest of acts! This world is our home, and school is apart of that, we seem to be spending more time at school than anywhere else these days, so peace and kindness should start here. Showing simple acts of kindness can make a big difference in our world. Peace and kindness starts with us, we are the future.
While today’s trials or bad news leaves you feeling hopeless. Remember the words “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” If you ever had a memory of an event that you thought you couldn’t overcome but then somehow, you did, you’re here today, stronger, wiser and still hanging on. It’s almost unbelievable, but we survive. We pull through and usually it is with the kindness of others, the sight of a new day and the sun that shines in the sky. We made it!