In light of the three recent shootings in the U.S. covered by the news, I can’t help but to reflect on the issue of our current gun laws and gun possession we have here. Even further, I think about the issues of racism, homophobia, and islamophobia in our country.

Several summers ago, I took a road trip across the United States from New York to South Dakota with my mom. We saw so many beautiful places, experienced the kindness of strangers, and had the adventure of a lifetime. I remember feeling so proud of my country during those few weeks, so proud to call myself an American citizen and to call this country my home. I would have been excited to share all the great things that make my country unique and beautiful.

Now, however, I struggle to feel that same pride. I have been informed of three tragedies involving gun violence in the last month while watching the news and scrolling through social media. The first was the shooting in Orlando, which I reflected on in a previous article, a true tragedy for the LGBT community and also proof of the islamophobia that endures within our culture. The second, another shooting of a black individual by police forces. The third, five police officials shot in Dallas, followed by the bombing of the shooter. The second and third crimes remind us that although slavery and segregation may be things of the past, racism is still an up-front and pressing issue for our nation. I’m sure there were many other gun-related incidents I have not heard about, because with shootings being so common in the U.S., many go undocumented by new stations.

So when will we realize that gun violence is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed?

When will we realize that our government and the news are teaching us to be fearful rather than educated, and hateful rather than compassionate?

I read a memoir by Jane Goodall several years ago in which she discussed the connection between chimpanzees and the human species. Although research now shows that many animals are complex and capable of feeling intricate emotions, for many years it was believed that one of the key differentiating factors between human species and the rest was our ability to feel love and compassion for others. My question is, if we are capable of feeling such a distinct sense of love and compassion, why are we the only species that is self-destructing? Why are we the only species to develop such a deep rooted fear and hate for others who are so similar to ourselves?

One might respond by saying, “Well, we actually are not very similar. We have different races, religions, ethnicities, and sexual identities. We cannot relate with other whose lives are so drastically different than our own.” I have been blessed to travel to many parts of the world, and meet people from almost every continent. And I can tell you, you are incorrect if you think we are too different to relate to one another. I love being surprised by and learning about cultural differences, but I am always even more surprised by how similar we are to each other.

We listen to the same music, we are all looking to have good friends, we are all part of a family. I have seen people whose countries are at war sit next to each other in class. I have watched people whose countries are bombing one another go out for dinner. I have seen people whose countries are teaching their people to hate one another fall in love. Fear and hate are choices we make. Ignorance is a choice we make. If you think we cannot get along with people who have some differences to ourselves, you are mistaken.

When the news teaches fear and hate, and our government refuses to accurately educate its people, violence occurs. Guns are acquired, guns are fired. Innocent people lose their lives. People get scared. More people lash out. Fingers are pointed. Hate is spread. More violent outbreaks happen. This is how people lose family and friends. This is why there is a new tragedy being reported every time we turn on the news. Yet we still keep selling guns to our citizens.

When people ask me now where I am from, I hang my head and murmur the name of my country. I feel the need to defend myself, to tell people that not all U.S. citizens are racist, or homophobic, or Islamophobic. Not all of us have guns. Not all of us hate immigrants or support Donald Trump (another issue entirely). I don’t think about the beautiful landmarks or the kindness of strangers. I think about how broken our nation truly is.

Why shouldn’t I have a country I can be proud of? Why shouldn’t I be able to wave an American flag high on Independence Day without feeling guilty because my fellow citizens do not all have the same privileges as me? Why do people tell me I need to be fearful of other countries when there is so much violence and injustice in my own?

I have so many questions, and not a lot of answers. But I do know a few things.

We need to stop pointing fingers at other countries and cultures and start pointing at ourselves. We are responsible for taking care of all of our citizens, not a select few.

Gun laws in our country need to be reevaluated, ASAP. No other country has civilian casualties like we do, citizen killing citizen. Too many lives have been taken, lives of children, LGBT lives, black lives, muslim lives, lives of police officers.

We need to demand that our news stations and government educate us. And until we are informed, we need to educate ourselves. We need to adequately learn about who and what we are afraid of, and learn to find compassion there.

We need to stop being silent. We need to rally, to peacefully protest, to write letters to editors and government officials. We cannot forget what is happening. We cannot be distracted. Our voices need to be heard.

We are all human beings. Regardless of any differences we have, we are all people.

And finally, I know that I want to be able to be proud of where I’m from. I want to be able to hold my head high and say, “I am a U.S. citizen. My people stand for freedom and justice for all human beings.”

So when will I be able to feel proud of my country once again?