Has the United States of America ever actually been as "united" as it claims? For almost my entire life, my country has had some type of internal battle going and/or a battle with another country. I was taught that America was first settled by outcasts and it grew on the backs of those seeking a better life from around the world. I watched as it became something very different, however.
It built a wall to keep people out and it turned away those who were being killed or persecuted elsewhere. I turned on the news and saw guns, masks, blood and angry faces. I watched hatred grow between the multitude of races and a divide I thought only existed in the past bubble to the surface of my own community. I have seen the economy grow slower and decline as our government turned its face from those who were in need and silence those who spoke loud enough to be heard. I have watched the divide between rich and poor grow and have watched the spawn of society manifest itself in selfishness and looking out for oneself. It didn't take long for me to see that the United States of America was more divided than united, especially once elections came around. It has only gotten worse as I have grown.
Within the past few years we all have seen the passion, resilience, hard work and dominance America was once known for turn into fear, anger, selfishness and weakness. It spends billions of dollars in an attempt to protect itself from an unknown threat. It finds solace in building tall walls instead of strong relationships. It kills black and white, Latino and Hispanic, Native American and foreigner. It shuns LGBT, religion, handicaps, physical and mental illnesses and all other differences.
Military men and women come home after fighting for us to find no one fighting for them. College students have been afraid to cross their campuses and citizens have been afraid of those who are supposed to have the civil duty of protecting them. The society surrounding women has become hostile either fighting for or against their "rights." Men have been beaten down and told to man up with no example to follow. America is teaching its youth to shut up, stick your head in the sand and conform to the "norm" instead of standing up and fighting for what you believe in and against what you know or feel to be wrong. Violence and hatred have escalated while peace and respect have all but disappeared. ISIS isn't the only thing we should be fighting against. We should be fighting against the destruction of us.
It is time to say, "We have had enough!" Time to stop repeating the atrocities of our past and create a better, brighter future. Time to stop focusing on overprotecting what we have and start building up in what we lack. Time to move past our differences and decide that even if we do not agree with a lifestyle or a choice, every single human being deserves our respect on every level. Time to repair the broken pieces of our world starting in our own hearts and homes. Time to love truly, deeply and fully without fear of what might happen. It's time to speak out against the wrong we see occurring every single day and replace it with love. Time to show the rest of the world that yes, we are united. United despite our vast diversities and differences, the same things that this country was built upon. Turn away from the fear, anger, mistrust and misunderstanding. Open your eyes and educate yourselves in every way possible. It's time, America. Are you ready?
