2016 has been a very tough year for many people across the United States as it becomes more divided and polarized as people begin to feel as if their voice no longer matters. The election of Donald Trump as President-Elect has split the nation with verbal, and sometimes physical, clashes between his supporters and those who opposed him happening more frequently. People refuse to be open minded on issues such as Global Warming and Immigration, and instead of agreeing to disagree, they belittle each other and argue about who they think is right and who they think is wrong. Because of this our nation is no longer united as one but is fragmented under a cloud of ignorance. Yet, even with this massive division, there is still hope that we can unite as one. Throughout the course of the history of America we have constantly said over and over that we can do better, and now is our chance to say and do it again.

As we move forward into 2017 and into the inauguration of our new president, we must ask ourselves one question: how can we be better? How can we be better as a nation and as a people? How can we be better for ourselves and for our children? The only way we will be able to answer this question is to come together and compromise with our ideas so that we can push for legislation that encompass' everyone's values and beliefs, not just a few. We must be able to keep in mind the values of the religious community who feel as if they are being made to do things that is against their religion, while also keeping in mind the ideas and rights of the LGBTQ community who feel as if they are being denied rights they should have. We should hold the beliefs of those who want stricter background checks for gun buyers because they are afraid of the rise in shootings across the nation, while also remembering the gun owner down the street who is feels that the government is trying to take away his guns and his way of protecting his family. By discussing and encompassing everyone's beliefs and ideas, we can once again be a nation for the people instead of for a few.

We can do better and we must in order to push forward as a nation. Our country was founded on the idea that everyone mattered and that no one should be forgotten. Yet, we have lost this, refusing to see the other side of the coin instead of realizing that it takes both sides to make the coin complete. Now it's time to come together as one and stop the petty ignorance that keeps us divided. Now it's time to hold true the values of us all. Now it's time to be better.