I think it's safe to say I'm not the only one absolutely outraged by the violent and terrifying events happening around the world right now. The list of recent terrorist attacks are rising and so is the body count. The Los Angeles Times reported that a total of 278 lives have been taken due to recent attacks in Europe. Not to mention the violence being committed in our own country. Watching as the world crumbles and trying to comprehend what may come next is a fear no one should have. To my friends that believe this is the last time, I'm sorry to say that I don't agree with you. This won't stop. We're not even close to a solution. Instead we’ve buried our problems under mounds of politics in hopes of finding radical change. We don’t need radical political change. We don't need to take sides. What we need is an understanding.

In the United States, we are battling hate crimes and the extreme separation of our citizens. We are divided, and we're nowhere close to coming together. Whether it's social, economic or political, it seems we're completely divided amongst all issues and can't seem to fix what's in front of us. Our society is broken and we as people are refusing to come together, acknowledge the issues, and then fix them. For a while we have been watching as the numbers of mass shootings rise in our schools; we've been watching as black lives have been taken at the hands of our justice system; and we’ve been watching ourselves grow farther apart in order to find that peace. We as people are searching for the most extreme ways to solve this problem instead of meeting in the middle. We are nowhere close to peace and we’ll see much more of this violence in our near future.

Trying to solve the issue of fatalities by police officers by requiring the use of body cams is a nice attempt. Getting the police's point of view during those moments of questionable tactics would be ideal in weeding out the bad cops. Let me clarify that this is not to bash cops at all. Not all cops are bad: some actually try to make a difference and make our country safe. However, for the ones who have misused their authority and have taken the lives of our fellow citizens, something needs to be done. But by using these cameras, will we actually see what happened? Or will there be an issue of it falling off during a struggle, leaving the event undocumented? Or will the video not be clear enough? Will the corrupt justice system come forth with the absolute truth or will they find a way to defend themselves as they always do? The problem isn't material.

The problem is that we lack a real understanding of other people, cultures, beliefs, etc. We act out in fear to what we see and has therefore caused racist behavior and cultural ignorance. We lack an understanding of our individual privilege, leading to racism and ignorance in our own country. We lack the cultural understanding that has lead us to start wars and fear other countries. But the 'we' i'm using isn't just American. That 'we' is universal. For those committing these attacks overseas, they also lack an understanding. This cultural divide is causing such a large barrier that nowhere is safe. In an interview with a former CIA officer regarding the one thing she has learned working in foreign policy and terrorism is that, "everyone believes they are the good guy." This is true. No matter the consequence, there is that certainty in everyone that tells themselves. That certainty is that they are doing the right thing. That is dangerous. The conversation stops after the threat is is posed. There is no trying to solve the issue with words or a healthy understanding, instead, we form battle plans. We don't try to see the other side and attempt to correct the issue at the source.

There is no temporary solution to stop people from doing what they believe is right. However, there is a permanent solution that will stop the violence. With education comes peace and the zero need for destruction. How many more lives need to be taken for the world to understand? Together we can make a difference. We can make a permanent change through education and logical thinking. Teaching the next generation that using violence and fear to solve problems will cause a very dangerous and frightening world that I refuse to be a part of. Let's make that difference, now.