This article will be raw and direct. No pictures. No bullsh*t. Just the message needed to be heard.

Dear United States of America,

In recent years, more specifically the past year or two, we seem to have lost ourselves. The core values in which we designed our revolution and formation of this country have become misidentified. People seem to preach patriotism by way of wearing American flag shorts and eating hot dogs and burgers. Patriotism goes much deeper than that; it is meant to resemble pride and beneficial change to all aspects of a country including history, politics, and culture. Culture. ALL CULTURES. The recent exposure of shootings and murders is completely unacceptable and it is due to a matter of neglect by us as citizens. Rather than protest for changes to made in a positive manner, we result to pointing blame and using violence. We have become a laughing stock to other nations, and it is time for positive reform.

1. The colors

Black. White. Yellow. Orange. Blue. Purple. Doesn't matter.

I do encourage all people to be proud of their heritage and background, wherever you may be from. It is what makes us unique; it is what contributes to the massive melting pot America is.

However, we are all Americans. If you live in this country as a citizen you are an American. Skin color should not be an issue in any matter. Skin color makes us distinguishable to the eye, but should not have judgmental affects when it comes to the mind or heart. There have been too many progressive movements in the past for us to start backtracking.

2. The Police

I grew up in a family with a legacy of police officers and military personnel. Hearing stories of the old days all the way to the present day has given me valuable insight into the law enforcement duties and procedures. I respect their mission to serve and protect the people of this country, providing assistance in any way they can.

Yet, like all occupations, there are good workers and bad workers. There are those who go above and beyond the positive requirements of their job, and there are also those who carry out actions in wrongful and inappropriate ways. There are good cops, there are bad cops. Just like there are good writers and there are bad writers; like there are good athletes and bad athletes.

I believe a majority of police officers are exceptional in their profession. However the reality is there are cops who conduct procedures in the most wrong way possible. It is up to the higher authorities to make sure these types of officers are weeded out. Whether it be through more intensive psychological training, regulatory check ups on how to deal with certain situations, etc., there needs to be action taken. I also don't see the need for there to be a quota for a certain number of arrests per time period. Something that needs to be reviewed.

3. The citizens

In relation to the police statement, there are good citizens and bad citizens, unfortunately. If you are to come into contact with a law enforcement officer, in most cases they are either looking out for your safety or looking out for the safety of others (unless it is one of the bad cops previously mentioned). It is the best bet to cooperate, even though those speeding tickets and fines may absolutely suck, it could be an eventual life saver. Mutual respect between citizens and police officers needs to be a second nature sort of thing.

If there comes the time where a protest for a cause is needed, it needs to be conducted in the correct manner. Protest through violence shows less success than that of a positive peaceful manner. Many civil rights movements in this country were conducted peacefully. Nelson Mandela helped to remove apartheid in South Africa by the use of peaceful protest. It works, and it's legal here. Take notes.

4. Be United

We are the United States of America. It is time for us to UNITE for positive reform. I do not believe we will ever be the America which was the "big daddy" of all other nations; that was the past, and with constant advancements in all aspects of life and the catch up of other countries, the title seems to have been dismissed. However, we have an opportunity to once again become a positive role model with a strong backbone as a country where the citizens respect and stand up for one another. It starts with us, the people. Be the positive change you want to see, stop growing soft and pointing fingers. We must not run from conflict, but rather face it head on, and combat it in a proactive manner.

May all those fallen Rest In Peace.