Prior to the most recent string of shootings and violent acts, the country was already in a bad place. Events like the San Bernardino, California attack and the recent shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida have left politics charged and people emotional. Once upon a time, the natural response to tragedies was to come together and help each other. In the world of polarizing politics, fast social media, and global mainstream media, it’s easier to resort to hate and division as opposed to unity.
Some respond to acts like those in California or Florida by denouncing Muslims for the acts of radicals, others call for greater gun control. In response to a recent string of shootings of innocent human beings, we are no longer divided just along political lines, but racial ones as well. There are competing sentiments among people who largely agree that no innocent people at all should die.
Do black lives matter? What about white lives? How about all lives?
Legendary athlete and football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders weighed in by noting that all lives do matter:
While it’s easy to say something that sounds nice, there is more that has to be done. Society needs to be able to move on from these incidents by coming together. Racial violence and cop hatred benefits no one. No one should be oppressed for the color of their skin and not all cops should be judged on the actions of the few. We are all individuals who should be judged on our own merits.
Sanders makes this observation when he calls on everyone to come together and move forward:
In our fast paced and highly polarized society, it’s easy to spit fire and throw accusations, but this best foot forward sometimes is our front one. Sanders’ again notes that how things are will make things worse if allowed to continue, in noting the best path forward is love:
This is true. The politics of division, whether it be a political divide or racial one, helps nobody and only allows for hatred to grow stronger.
Deion Sanders sums up his series of tweets on the recent shootings, including that in Dallas, by again pointing out what the message coming from everyone should be:
In America, we’re all different. We live in a diverse society. But the consequences of actions have implications that affect us all, especially in a society that is more connected than ever before thanks to technology. The response to tragedies is faster and while that has its benefits, it also allows for allegations and speculation to grow faster than the news can clarify the problem. This leads to strained relations, hurt feelings and in worst case scenarios, racism and murder.
Deion Sanders played baseball and he played football. He was great enough at what he did to make into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But even off the field, he’s shown that his morality and intellect can match the athleticism. The message all of America should carry is the same as his: “All lives matter.”
