Hey America,

Listen… We need to talk. It's not you, it's me.

Okay. If I'm being completely honest, it's you. It’s been a long year, and your personality has completely shifted since you and I began — well, whatever it is you want to call this. And I’m sorry, but I don’t have the strength to do this anymore.

I think we should take a break, just for a little while. Just until you sort through your emotions and thoughts and straighten out your priorities because, let's face it, you've lost sight of what's important. You've lost sight of what we were both fighting for, and lately it just seems like I'm the only one fighting to save our relationship — but relationships are a two-way street. You get what you give and I can't give anymore, not if you're going to brush it aside and choose to fuel hatred and ignorance and violence.

I can't stand by that.

So in light of the beginning of the new year, we need some time apart. I deserve a fresh start, and you deserve some time to yourself to work through everything going on in your head. We had a good 20 years, but my time is better spent fighting for what I believe in, fighting for what I thought you believed in. I guess you were just hiding yourself these last eight years.

I thought we were moving forward, slowly, but in the right direction. But lately you've found solace in hate speech, violent acts and fear-mongering more than ever before. I misjudged you, and I regret letting it go this far. I hate that I let you lead me on, that I fell for your tricks and plays. And I can't be with someone like you anymore.

But hey, this isn't the end. It's just a break. I'm not going to abandon you. I'm not going to leave. I'll be here, fighting for what's right and for what I believe, waiting for you to come to your senses. After all, you aren't home to one race, one sex, one gender, one identity. You're a melting pot, founded and nurtured by people looking to live their own version of a happy life.

And right now, you're doing a poor job at giving that to them. So I hope that this year, maybe we can work something out. Maybe you'll be able to find what you're really looking for — whatever that may be.

Sincerely,

Me