Today my school put on a Veterans Day assembly like they do every year. It is always emotional and everyone cries. I walked into my third period class, which happens to be my favorite class and sat down next to my best friend. During all of this, my teacher spoke up, "I am going to get up on my soap box for a bit". This teacher happens to be my favorite teacher because he's tough, funny and he does his job well. He proceeded to talk about how his grandfather fought in the army when he was younger and how his dad was drafted into the Vietnam War.
My teacher also began to talk about how his father is his hero. He didn't realize that until later on in life. After a few years, he had realized that his dad fought hard to protect our country and everything that America stands for. With tears in his eyes, he reflected on everything his dad had sacrificed for this country. He said his dad fought for the love and the acceptance that America should embody. He fought for the ability to practice different religions, to be different color, to have different opinions and still be accepted.
He then ended his speech with this, "I look out over this classroom and I see whites,Native Americans, Hispanics, Muslims and many other races and sexual preferences. All I hope for you guys is that you love one another. I am sick and tired of all the hate in this world". The last part of his speech is what hit me the hardest. All this country needs right now is love. No matter who you voted for or didn't vote for we all need to love each other. Love is what brings a country together. Love is what makes a country stronger. Love is what makes America what it is. It's a country that accepts you for who you are. I am just as guilty as everyone for contributing hate to this world after this election. Yes I am angry. However, I just need to love everyone for being them. We need to respect others for their opinions that may differ from ours. Isn't that what makes America great; theability to have different opinions and we are able to speak about them. Remember that there are some people out there who are genuinely fearful for what may come in the future for them. Do not be insensitive. Show them you support them. Show those people that you care. Even if you don't support them be kind and love them. If we all love just a little bit more this country will be better no matter who is in office. It starts with us and who we want to be. I say choose love. Choose love over hate and anger. You will notice the difference. The world will be a better place.
