Dear Protestors,

I admire your courage and your passion to fight for a cause that you so deeply care about and are willing to fight for. I admire the confidence and bravery you have to stand on a street and fully support your cause. I admire the look in your eyes when you speak your opinion with so much passion and sincerity. It's beautiful to see.

Amidst all the recent tragedies, I've found many people are conflicted on causes to support. The movements of today have grown to be powerful and have grown in the amount of people you have gathered to support your cause. I've found myself on Social Media looking at the countless posts, opposing one another and putting another movement down. These differing views are what makes our country beautiful, amazing, and so unique. We can speak our minds knowing that our beliefs may be different than the status quo. I applaud your ability to stand against the status quo, to fight the majority, and to continue to believe in your cause.

However, I want to remind you of the brilliance of so many leaders before us. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently said, "Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals." Gandhi deeply preached, "Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind." Nelson Mandela believed, "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you must work with your enemy." The amazing men and women, like the men I mentioned before, preach and pledge non-violence have seen failure and set backs, but however, they have seen much success and many victories.

I, like many others, believe in the force and power non-violence can have. I believe in the power to work and to peacefully confront your enemy. I believe that much more can be achieved through peace. I believe that what our nation now needs most is nonviolence.

Although each of the current movements are different, I support all of the current movements in some way, shape, or form. I believe in the Black Lives Matter Movement. I believe that black men and women in American society can be treated unjustly and should be treated equally. I understand that as a white female, I don't know what it is like to be a Black American. I don't know the discrimination you face on a daily basis. However, I do know that discrimination in any way is wrong and I would love nothing more than to see an end to racial inequalities. I believe that the recent force and brutality shown by police officers has uncovered a problem. However, I believe that Blue Lives Matter. I believe the men and women in blue are some of the most amazing individuals with the biggest hearts and the bravest souls. I applaud these men and women for putting their lives on the line to protect me. I believe that All Lives Matter. Whether you are white, black, hispanic, Native American, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, or whatever you are..... Your life matters.

So to the protestors of 2016, continue protesting, continue fighting for what you believe in. However take a step back and make sure your fight is peaceful. Make sure you are using the wisdom of the men and women who preached nonviolence to plan your next protest. Make sure you are reminded of Gandhi and his endless nonviolent strikes and marches to bring light to prejudice. Be reminded of Nelson Mandela and his relentless determination to end racial segregation in South Africa. Be reminded of the men and women who walked down streets with Martin Luther King Jr., peacefully to make sure they were rationally heard. Be reminded of Rosa Parks who just simply took a seat on a bus and refused to get up. Be reminded of the four college students who took a seat at a lunch counter. Peace is powerful.

Protest are won by non-violence. Protests are won by collaboration. Protests are won by enemies becoming friends. These movements want the same thing... They want everyone to be safe, equal, loved, and valued.

Fight for what is right, but don't fight with fists. Don't fight with bullets. Fight with words. Fight with determination. Fight with peace.

Good luck. Be safe. Keep others safe.