2016 has been quite an eventful year, and it’s only July… Between the heated (and catty, immature) presidential election around the corner, the hate and crime circulating throughout the world and the negative social media posts that add fuel to the fire, it’s easy to say the world is spiraling downward and even easier to lose your faith in humanity.
And while yes, hate, discrimination and evil are -sadly- inevitable and all over the world, so are the people that want to make the world a better place; the genuine people that restore your faith in humanity. These 10 powerful pictures will make you realize the world is actually a beautiful place, and good will always overcome evil. They depict the kind hearts in people, and show the tiny moments that aren’t broadcasted on the infamous media outlets. They’re real people waiting to make a change, unapologetic for just being plain human.
“Tiffany Findley (L) and Adriana Kelley kiss outside the wake for Pulse shooting victim Javier Jorge Reyes, in a counter protest against the Westboro Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida.” – The World Bulletin
“Annette Page (left) and her sister Sharee Page (right), hold a cell phone with a photograph of the two of them before being diagnosed with cancer in Farmington, Utah. The two Utah sisters have received a breast cancer diagnosis within about two weeks of one another, a coincidence that doctors say is extremely rare, but gives them the chance to undergo chemotherapy together, shave each other’s heads and discuss their identical symptoms.” – Buzzfeed
“This lady saw me parked at a City park this morning and decided to stop. She exited her vehicle with her two children and approached me as I was seated in my patrol car. She simply stated that she wanted to pray for me. Specifically for my safety. I expressed my gratitude the best I could, but she really has no idea how much that meant to me. Her little boy handed me a wilted flower that looked as if it had been in his pocket for a week. At that moment, it was the most beautiful flower I’d ever seen. My prayer is that sharing this encounter will encourage many to give people a chance, regardless of race or profession. You simply cannot judge an entire group of people because of the actions of some. Don’t hate evil more than you love good.” – Pancho and Lefty
This powerful photo from Daily Mail reads “Dallas police sergeant Paul Hinton taking part in a prayer circle after a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.”
This photo was taken after the Pulse shooting in Los Angeles, Muslims showed their support, took a stand and spoke up about the Muslim and LGBTQ community. – United Front Party
“#UCFPD introduced our newest car, a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community after the tragedy at #Pulse Nightclub on June 12. This car was designed to honor Orlando’s diversity and strength and remember the lives taken at #Pulse.
We are #OrlandoStrong.” – UCF Police Department
Another activist group that has a different rhetoric to Black Lives Matter is “300 Men March.” The Wall Street Journal states that “Mr. Scott and Munir Bahar, a community activist, co-founded 300 Men March, a volunteer organization that trains young men to patrol tough neighborhoods, urges kids to reject gang culture, and calls attention to the far more common inner-city violence that doesn’t involve police. The group, started in 2013, holds a yearly march in honor of the hundreds of annual victims of gun violence perpetrated mostly by gangs and drug crews in the city. Members sport T-shirts emblazoned with the simple message: We Must Stop Killing Each Other.”
The image that is circulating the web! This photo is of a Pennsylvania father sleeping under his sick son’s hospital bed, after a long day of working he proves caring for his son is his #1 job and priority. His wife posted this touching photo to Facebook, and it truly encompasses the love and bond he has for his child.
“On Saturday, June 11, Officer John-Paul Dorais of the Meriden Police Department encountered a homeless woman with some tragic circumstances. She was sleeping in a shed on Broad St.
Officer Dorais took the female to the Comfort Inn & Suites at 900 East Main St. and bought her a room out of his own pocket so that she could have a comfortable night’s sleep. (His partner took the below photo of him while he wasn’t looking.)” – Meriden Police Department
That’s all we are. No matter your race, gender, ethnicity, sexual preferance, political stance, WHATEVER, we are all humans. We need to cherish the gift of life and respect eachother.
Feature photo courtesy of http://www.inquisitr.com/3278584/hands-for-orlando-music-megastars/ Last photo: Jessica Hecht