As I was attempting to write this article, I could not think of the words to say. At first, it was a rant about the overall lack of knowledge, awareness, and humanity with the race problem in the United States. Next, it was going to be a Robert Kennedy-esque narrative about the "savageness of man." I decided that neither one of those quite fit my style. Instead, I have compiled a list on how to know if you are a part of the ongoing race/law enforcement tensions and to maybe clear up some misconceptions.

1.) If you use #AllLivesMatter, #IStandWithBlue, or any of the other hashtags that are likely to show up on the trending section of your favorite social media site, then you are missing the entire point. NO ONE is saying that some lives are more important than others. But the truth is that white people have not been, nor are they currently being, innocently gunned down in the streets. At this time, the focus is on improving the safety and well being of our black brothers and sisters, because they do not enjoy the same safety that we do. All lives do matter, and it is for that reason that we should be standing in solidarity with all other non-whites.

2.) If the death of innocent black Americans does not incite some emotion out of you, but the killing of innocent police officers does, you are part of the problem. And vice versa. If the death of innocent police officers does not give you a feeling of heartbreak, but the death of innocent black Americans does, you are a part of the problem. If both cases, the people or person that died were innocent. The killing of any innocent person alone should be enough for us to take serious the situation at hand.

3.) If you blindly follow and assume that all law enforcement officers are good, you are a part of the problem. The same can be said for the opposite. Some cops are good and some are bad. Our focus should be on cracking down on the bad ones, and adding to the quantity of good ones.

4.) If you are concerned about the rights of law enforcement officers, but do not even know your own rights when it comes to you and an officer, you are part of the problem. We all should know the basic rights, such as the right to remain silent, right to an attorney, and fair trial. Others, such as the right to refuse a search of your vehicle or home without a proper warrant, the right to ask why you are being detained or arrested, or the right to excuse yourself from police presence unless you have been reasonably detained or arrested may be some liberties that are not as well known, of which all have been established and are protected by the 4th and 5th Amendments.

5.) If you believe that law enforcement officers are all powerful, you are a part of the problem. As stated above, we as citizens of the United States have rights when it comes to law enforcement officers. They are limited in power by the Constitution and laws of this country. We do not live in a police state.

6.) If you believe that law enforcement is the military, you are part of the problem. Law enforcement officers are not, or at least should not be, there to fight a war in your neighborhood or community. They are there to protect you, and to be a positive influence in your community. Law enforcement officers are guardians. Not soldiers.

7.) If when speaking of a victim of police violence, you bring up the victims criminal history, background, or any of the sort, you are showing just how little you care about that victim. A life was taken. Somewhere, a family is grieving. And while they are doing so, you are down playing the death of a human being by speaking of a past history that more than likely had nothing to do with the incident that resulted in their death.

8.) If you are a Christian watching these events as they unfold and all you say is "Praying for this country," that is fine, but it is also a problem. You should pray for this country. You should ALWAYS be praying for this country. But praying is not all you should do. James 2:14-17 says "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Simply praying for healing is not going to cut it. You have to be active in helping to facilitate the healing that is needed. Don't be afraid to help others understand. What is needed to help us as a country progress from these issues is love, and who else understands love better than Jesus? Sitting idly by and doing nothing is equal to being the one doing harm.

This list could go on for much longer. The fact of the matter is this. We, meaning every citizen of this country, need to be finding common sense solutions to these problems. Taking sides and hash-tagging your post on social media to show what side you support is the opposite of what needs to be done. We need to begin with gaining knowledge about and listening to all concerns. Every concern is valid, even if it is not one of your own. The only way to begin to progress is to create dialogue in a loving way. Every American deserves safety. Every American deserve equality.