Watching the news or logging on to a social media site can be rather frustrating. Why? Well, for many it is because of a repetitive display of hate that has divided people. Living in the United States of America it is hard to tell what exactly is so united about it. Wait! What? Not the States themselves, but the people living here. Take a closer look, for example at a group of friends that attend the same school. Each is very different and have their own opinions -- which is wonderful because that is what makes them so special! We are not looking at the large picture of where they are from, how they were raised, and other things that made them who they are today. The focus point is that they are here united as friends with the same goal, to finish up school and move to the next part of their lives. As a fellow student helping each other out and working together to achieve the common goal is amazing.

Now let’s try and zoom in for a moment and see what typically happens to friends who have different beliefs. It wasn’t noticeable at first since conversations normally focused on what was going on in class and helping each other out with projects. Now, a new perspective has come into full view and it is different, so different that it becomes hard to see eye to eye. Left is no longer left, the similarities that were held common are now clearly black and white. What to do now? A question that many ask themselves when finding out that their friends are going to vote for someone else. Sure, it was okay when it was a sport thing because it was a fun kind of rivalry, but this is serious, this is something else. Feelings and emotions rush in at a hundred miles per-hour, is friendship still possible? Not trying to be shallow, but also wanting to continue that time spent together before- when life was simple and being friends was all that mattered.

School is not over yet, and there are still friends who believe in similar things. So even though some friends are not on the same page anymore, some friends can talk and hang out and forget the others. Some people politely just stick to themselves so being offended is minimal. No one likes that extra stress anyways. Then it is time to get online and post things and see what friends are up to. How are these people still friends online? Gosh they just posted a news clip about something that is personally offensive! Thinking that commenting won’t be bad (it is online, so fair game), the two cents that will be in the comment will be worth it. Comment is written and sent. Not long after others have commented and the feeling of anger creeps in. Thinking that just one more comment to support the last one is needed. Back and forth the commenting goes. If they posted that then why not post something as well? Once more commenting to prove who is right and who is wrong -- it carries on all night long. Then it is time for school. Someone hopes that this other person keeps their mouth shut, but there is someone talking with a friend, most likely about the post.

This is what happens and it doesn’t just end there. So often people are turned against one another over trivial issues. Some issues should get air time and be seen from different points of view in order to solve the problem. Unfortunately, this is not the case since many arguments are often clouded because of anger and lack of fact. Is it possible to live in this country called the United States of America, and have the people living within united as one? I believe this is a possibility and a goal. Just as two people with different points of view can sit together in the same classroom and work together to achieve the same goal. Putting differences aside, would you like to stand together as human beings with the goal to make a nation great? A great country is only as great as their people are united. Post unity, not controversial division; to see the big picture focus on the here and now. I believe in you. Take care and God Bless.