It is apparent that our country has a race problem. Every day on the news there is a new story of some black man being shot by a police officer, African Americans retaliating on police, and riots breaking out over the Black Lives Matter cause. Our country is seeing an epidemic of violence to an issue that can and needs to be resolved. Easier said than done, though. How do we change a nation of hate to a nation of openness and acceptance?

This evening I had someone tell me, "Race doesn't matter to me. I don't base my opinions on someone's skin because that person didn't have control of the fact that they were going to be born black. I judge someone based on their character, work ethic, things like that."

All I could think while hearing this was that I wish everyone thought and treated African Americans in the same manor. There will always be people in this nation that are just downright racist. I will never understand those people.

Should people of color be shot and killed by police officers every day because of the color of their skin?

Because they are seemed to be dangerous because of their skin? Absolutely not.

But on the other hand, should a cop be attacked and killed? Hell no. Should riots get so out of hand that cities are being destroyed? Never.

We all have a voice. We all have the right to share our opinions. But there is a way to use your voice constructively in order to fight for what you want.

We are all people.

We all have feelings, emotions, thoughts, goals, and aspirations. What really makes us so different from each other? Because the color of our skin should not be a defining factor anymore.I believe in equality for people of all races and fair treatment of all police officers. Little kids are forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance across this great nation every morning.

It is about time that we start practicing what we preach and giving liberty and justice for all.