There are no words to describe the tragedy that has consumed our nation and our world over the past few weeks. I doubt you could've missed the news stories flying around about Dallas, Medina, Istanbul, Louisiana, Orlando, Baltimore...and that's just to name a few. Even as I was writing this article, I got a news notification that another officer has been shot and that more police officers in my home state are being threatened. It's shocking, it's terrifying and it's disheartening. But not only are we suffering from tragedy and loss, we're also listening to all the commentary and speeches revolving around the election.

If you're anything like me, and terrified of confrontation, you'll probably only talk about these things with close friends--maybe some family, if you're aligned politically with them. I find myself choosing more positive happy things to talk about, over talking about shootings and racism and presumptive presidential candidates. These are just a handful of reasons I don't like talking about current events.

1. I really don't like confrontation. Especially yelling.

Most people don't know how to debate anymore. There is no respectful disagreement, there is only screaming at the top of your lungs that you are right and they are wrong. I don't like that. I realize that I will not always be right, but I know that I'm not always wrong either. I may just have a different opinion from you. People having opposing opinions helps the world function, believe it or not. If we didn't have opposing viewpoints, everyone would agree on how to fix something, but that doesn't mean it would be the right fix.

2. Hearing about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton all the time is exhausting.

I know that they're most likely going to be the 2016 presidential candidates, but I still don't like either of the options. Both of them seem to have flaws, and both of them seem to have some perks. I don't know what to think of them and people have such strong opinions that it's hard to get an unbiased opinion.

3. I don't really want to build a wall.

Somehow, that just doesn't seem like a good idea. If nothing else, people can climb walls and dig under walls, so it's still not going to be secure. Plus, I don't understand why we want to block them out anyway--they are working the jobs that you're not interested in doing. They're simply doing what you and I are doing--supporting families. Not to say we're the only ones discussing this. This is actually a big deal for the United Kingdom right now too (hence Brexit).

4. I'm tired of hearing about deleted emails.

I don't even know what to think anymore. I think it's over and then something new is revealed, and Clinton is back under examination. I know that this is a potentially huge problem for her campaign, but I'm still just confused. The memes and comments are confusing on their own, the news stations are just making it worse.

5. I am pro-Black and pro-police.

I had a friend just become a police officer and with all of the violence that has occurred within the last week, I'm almost scared for him. But by the same point, I don't want anyone to be afraid of leaving their house. It's not fair for people of one skin color to fear for their lives and another skin color to go freely.

6. ISIS is actually really upsetting to me.

I cannot respect a group that contradicts themselves on a regular basis and destroys history because they don't like what happened. Bombing a mosque during Ramadan in one of the holiest cities for Islam? How does that make sense to a group that is supposed to be fighting desperately to make Islam the end-all-be-all? That doesn't make sense. Not to mention they've destroyed ancient cities because they didn't want the history--Palmyra was filled with gorgeous architecture and classical artifacts from the original era. They wired it with explosives and completely decimated the area. That is history we won't ever get back. Their hypocrisy is upsetting at best.

7. Islam is not the same as ISIS, so please stop saying that all Muslims are terrorists.

Evidence of this is the bombing in Medina. Attacking your own holy city during a holy holiday? That doesn't compute. Not to mention that this makes absolutely no sense--ISIS is an extremist group, Islam is an entire religion. Just like Westboro Church is an extremist group for Christianity. All of Christianity should not be based on the actions of Westboro Baptist Church, just as all of Islam should not be based on the actions of ISIS. If you spend all of your life assuming the worst of people, you're going to live a very sad life. I promise.

8. I don't want guns stripped from everyone.

I'm from Texas. I have family that hunts, just because they enjoy it. The whole family does it together, along with the community sometimes! I don't have a powerful want to disarm someone who has a passion for firearms. I realize that guns are more dangerous than other hobbies--like drawing or singing--but it's worth it to be passionate about something.

9. But I also really think we need gun reform.

However, I really don't think an average person needs access to an assault rifle. Maybe a single shot Glock or Sig Sauer, but not an automatic gun where you hold the trigger and it fires until it runs out--that's when people die. And to be honest, I'm tired of waking up to find out there's been another shooting. Orlando was terrifying, Sandy Hook was devastating, Aurora was shocking. When does it stop? We need new rules to start protecting the people of this nation.

10. I'm really sick of not being taken seriously because I'm a girl.

One of my favorite shows had a female character once say this, "Just because my reproductive organs are on the inside, doesn't mean I can't handle everything you can handle." Yet, modern day women are still struggling to earn the same amount of money as men. We're struggling to be taken seriously in sexual harassment suits. Even minority actresses in Hollywood are tired of being typecast for the exact same roles. Just because I am female, does not mean that I am incapable of having an opinion that matters.

I obviously haven't mentioned everything that I feel passionate about. But obviously, you can see why I don't like talking about current events because, like I said, I'm rather non-confrontational. However, before writing my article, I realized that if you feel strongly about something and never say anything, how is change supposed to happen? Changes happen by first acknowledging the problem and then beginning to determine how to remedy a problem. Conversation sparks the first conversation. So don't hesitate to talk about hot topics, even if you start by just commenting below. We can make a difference, we just have to start talking about it to create action.