I'm sure everyone has seen the ugly things we as Americans are doing to each other. Shootings happen daily now, and it doesn't seem like we can walk out of our houses safely anymore. I don't know about you, but I just don't understand. I don't get how racism is still an issue in 2016, I don't understand how someone could wake up one morning and decide to grab a gun and go on a mass shooting, and I don't understand how we have become a country that turns our backs on each other. We are fighting a war over seas, but we are also fighting a battle with each other. I'm not dumb to the fact that not everyone will get along 100% of the time. People are different and have different opinions on how this country should settle things, but can't we at least agree that this chaos has to stop?

Trump and Clinton are who we have to vote for this November, and that in itself is just sad. I don't know about you, but I can't believe that's who we have to chose from to represent our country. Regardless of your political opinion, I don't think there is much hope. I hope and pray that who ever gets elected in November will realize what they just signed up for. I hope they can somehow help this country move in the right direction.

In regards to the way we are treating each other, I am so saddened to feel as if I live in a country that is so divided. We have terrorist groups trying to tear this country down as quickly as possible, but to me it's worse if we are doing it to ourselves as well. There are a million ways people seem to think our problems can be fixed. Some say to ban guns, some say to not touch our guns, and some say that only a select few should be allowed to carry a gun. Here's the thing though, if someone has full intent to obtain a gun and go on a shooting spree, then that's what they'll do. There aren't ever going to be laws to fix a psychopath.

Racism isn't anything new to this country, but I can't believe it's not something we've moved past yet. Some don't feel as if the Black Lives Matter movement is important because they say all lives matter. I agree with both sides. Yes, all lives matter. But here lately, it seems that the violence in this country has been targeted at all lives. It seems to be that black people are taking most of the shots. I have seen some pretty awesome peaceful protest, and to me, that's exactly what this country needs to see. The violent rioting isn't getting anyone anywhere. You can't fight violence with violence. If you spread love and peace, maybe someone will see that and learn from it.

Again, everyone has their opinion. I try to stay pretty neutral, but there is a point where you can't just stay neutral about the fact our country is in turmoil. I pray everyday that God will help us to end this violence and chaos, but it seems like we've taken God out of the equation. I have nieces and nephews who are younger, and I fear for them. I don't want them to see the hate in this world, and I wish I could protect them from all the bad things happening. I know that it isn't possible, but it's hard to fathom they are growing up in such a hateful place.

So, we need to start loving each other instead of killing each other. We need to start realizing people should not be judged by the color of their skin. If we start looking at each other as human beings who deserve respect and dignity, we may be able to rise above this. My philosophy is that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Kindness can go along way. It may not fix our problems as a country, but it's a good place to start. It's time we wake up, America.