We live in a broken and fractured world; there's deep division everywhere we look. We see this in the news – racially, and politically – it seems no one can agree with each other and everyone is against each other. Flipping on the news can be discouraging because all anyone sees is the deep distress of our country. This distress paints a very dark world, one where evil resides left and right.

It causes me deep sorrow to make this next statement. It seems our country is now better known for things that we're against rather than things we love. The media constantly portrays society as one of constant class warfare, of constant repression of people, of repulsive words spewing from mouths. The media rarely portrays us as a country consisting of things we love. Is this because it doesn't exist? No, although it may occur less frequently. Simply put, hate sells more. The media will publish and broadcast whatever they think will gain an audience. Unfortunately, our generation lives for something I call "reality" news. A reality TV show will gather data to see how to craft their "reality" to cater to their audience; however, this is not the actual reality. The media has adopted this strategy, selling the terrible because it draws a larger audience. What does this say about us – that we love to watch evil rather than love?

Few recognize that the media is a tool that maintains significant power over us. It's difficult to fully understand the effect it has on us as a whole. We like to think that our thoughts and opinions operate independently of the media; however, it is greatly shaped by it, even if we don't realize it. Media has the ability to skew any aspect of any story by simply shifting details in order to cater to an audience. They can completely blow something out of proportion or paint something in such a manner that a shadow falls against it. They bring to the forefront the nastiness of the world, which causes hateful words and posts on social media to spew out like an uncapped oil well. Media creates a lot of our hate – they purposely fuel angry discussion because it draws in more recognition. Media makes it easy to blame society.

As Americans, this is where we have to step up. It's easy to get off the hook and say it's a "societal problem," and blame our leaders for not doing enough. However, this fracture our country possesses is actually personal fractures that spread out into society. Our own confusion, hatred, and criticism are what deepens this fracture. We have to recognize that we as citizens of the United States are called to be lights; we cannot dismiss or shy away from this society. We've been given incredible grace: the ability to speak and write freely, to have second chances. You have to recognize this grace and that it's not right you don't extend something you've been given.

Amidst this darkness, compassion still exists. It sometimes seems to be impossible to extend compassion during a deep disagreement. However, for Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick-Fil-A, compassion is what he clings to. After he issued his stance on traditional marriage, Chick-Fil-A was attacked and boycotts were organized. Behind these boycotts was Shane Windmeyer, who runs Campus Pride. Dan could have attacked him or turned his lawyers on him, but rather what Dan sought was understanding. Many phone calls and in-person meetings occurred, and a friendship began to develop. Shane wrote in the Huffington Post that Dan "...has always been one of kindness and openness" and always sought for Shane's perspective.

We should all take a lesson of this relationship. As you pursue people who think differently, it is key to ensure that compassion exists. Compassion brings nearness, and nearness is the biggest opponent of hatred. This fracture in our country needs healing, but this cannot occur unless everyone is on board, unless everyone stops the berating and tearing down others.