There's an old saying I heard when I was younger: "When in general company, never talk about politics or religion." I try to follow that in everyday life which is why you don't hear me talk about politics or issues like abortion or gun control. However, in light of the recent ambush shooting in Dallas, I'd like to say a few words that some people may not agree with and that's okay. Freedom of speech remember?

I'm going to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the saying #BlackLivesMatter because frankly #AllLivesMatter. Black, white, LGTBQ+, male, female, young, old -- every single life matters. This world is filled with a lot of hate and opinionated people that are not open to listening to others' views. Instead they revolt and are violent towards innocent people. What is the cause for all this violent rage? Video games? Race? Revenge? Fear? I'm not entirely sure of the answer, but they can all be argued as being the cause. We generalize people and occupations and convince ourselves that those in uniforms, who risk their lives to protect us, are all bad. We also generalize those that walk around wearing hoods are all bad people. Are there bad cops out there? Yes. Are there bad civilians out there? Yes. But there are also good cops and good civilians not seen as being good people.

Race, unfortunately, has been a dividing factor in our history and although things have equaled out drastically than what it used to be, there are still inequalities and ignorance in our country and the rest of the world. It's disgraceful that we can't step back from it all and look at both sides of the situation.

In a perfect world, we would all see that law enforcement is there to simply protect us and enforce the law. We would also be able to look at people of all walks of life and not see them as an immediate threat just by he way they dress, speak or the color of their skin. Unfortunately, social media and even the news has been a large factor in our inability to see all sides of the issue because of the way situations are written about and seen as.

Last Friday was a peaceful protest gone wrong and the lives of five police officers were taken and many other people harmed all because one man used guns to take a stand on gun control and police brutality. Fear makes people do terrible things and last week was filled with terrible and violent situations all because of fear and revenge.

Regardless of what I think or write, you will have your opinion and I will have mine. At the end of the day, we need to appreciate each others' views and come together to make this world a better place. In the words of Ellen DeGeneres, "Be kind to one another."

May God turn darkness into light.