The NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his thirteen year old daughter Gigi Bryant were declared dead after a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles. The helicopter had been flying in foggy conditions which were no worrying matter until the helicopter lost connection with the air traffic controllers. The air traffic controllers claimed the accident happened just minutes after the connection was lost. The pilot tried increasing the altitude of the airplane to avoid a cloud layer but instead missed and crashed into a mountain. People around the world were devastated over the loss of the future Hall of Famer and his WNBA career-bound daughter. People now were making baskets not yelling “Kobe” but “For Kobe” over the tragic loss of their idol. Kobe Bryant was a legend due to his lively personality and his major impact in the realm of basketball. Kobe played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years. Bryant won 5 NBA championships, was an 18 time All Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA team, and the NBA MVP in 2008. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he ranks fourth on the league’s all time regular season scoring, as well as on the league’s all time postseason scoring. Bryant was also a two time gold medalist for Team USA in the Olympics; however, his death has now become the ignorance of others. The fact is seven other people suffered the same fate as Bryant and his daughter the morning of Sunday, January 26.
All the headlines when looking up “helicopter crash” result in the words “Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and 7 others found dead”, but not one mentions the names of these seven people anywhere near the top of their articles. The names etched in our heads along with Kobe and Gigi’s should be John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan. All beautiful people with different backgrounds and stories that were cut short in this tragic accident. This accident would not be relevant without the Bryants’ deaths; however, by hiding these names behind Kobe and Gigi’s, they’re getting less importance than if they had died separately.
Every time these seven deaths are mentioned, it is in conjunction with Kobe’s death. It is as if their own death isn’t even their own. They are merely supporting characters to Kobe’s death instead of main characters in their own. It shouldn’t be this way.
I’m not saying Kobe Bryant isn’t a legend who shouldn’t be remembered for his impact on the world, but his death should not be the reason for the forgottenness of seven others. The solution here is to continue honoring Kobe and his daughter along with the Altobelli’s, Chester’s, Ms. Mauser, and Mr. Zobayan. Let their voices be heard. Just as loud as Kobe and Gigi’s.
