What happened to America? Growing up I never realized the hatred everyone had for one another. Sure, I would read about racism that once occurred in history class, but as a young girl I believed that bills were passed and that did not exist anymore. Yes, America had enemies but for the most part, Americans stood together in one common goal to diminish anyone that posed as a threat to our almighty and powerful nation. Where did that patriotism go? Why can we not stand together as one anymore? The answer to that question is, it will simply never happen again.

We can do whatever we can to stop racism towards blacks and towards white, but there will always be people who will not be satisfied. The race card can be thrown at anytime and anywhere and people use that to their advantage. If something does not go there way, blame it on your race, it has become the easy way out. Race should not determine punishment, level of success, or quality of life. So why do people keep denying themselves of the opportunity to be treated equally? The more people complain, the bigger the divide becomes. #BlackLivesMatter is a great movement and something that should be done to bring attention to the racism that does still occur in our country today. But do you know what also matters? Blue lives. The police officers, ignoring any of their races, risk their lives every single day to protect us. Their lives are just as important as the innocent blacks who have lost their lives. There is not one life that is more significant or important than another. An eye for an eye makes people blind. It does not give one group the upper hand, it simply starts a war.

My hope is that someday that there will no longer be a competition. Cultural groups will not have to one up each other, and never be satisfied until they’re on top. If you want to be on top, work for it. Don’t sit there and complain about the opportunities you don’t have, when you actually have all of the power in the world.