During such a difficult, divided, and dangerous time in our country's history, it becomes far too easy for someone to feel that they have "lost faith in humanity" and are incapable of combating the loud cries of hatred, fear and violence that they see happening all around them.

After the recent white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, VA sparked nationwide outrage by displaying the most disgusting and bigoted sides of human behavior, I feel it's extremely important to remember that there are still millions of compassionate people in the world working every day to help others and fight against injustice, mistreatment and discrimination.

Last year, I was lucky enough to interview a former Boston University student who has dedicated both her personal and professional life helping people from all backgrounds feel accepted and reminding students who may feel the world has no place for them that they are never alone.

Mikayla Wilson got the idea to write a book about misconceptions in the LGBT community her senior year of high school after coming out to her parents as bisexual.

“I knew there was a lot of confusion about different identities, and I wanted to write something to help make people understand better,” Wilson said.

“Stand,” her first book, was released in January 2014 through CreateSpace, an online platform that helps independent authors design, publish, and distribute their work.

“I turned towards self-publishing because I knew it was incredibly hard to get books published in general, and especially on such a taboo topic. I felt like it wasn’t anything a real agency was going to want to touch,” said Wilson.

After spending two summers writing, Wilson, age 20, began turning her manuscript into a finished product.

“I did all the design work on my own. I had to get an ISBN number, make the cover, and get all the formatting of the text right. They’d send me a proof in the mail and the lettering would look off, so I’d send it back and try again.”

Once she was satisfied with the design, Wilson ordered 20 initial copies and turned to her family and community for help spreading her message.

“I got my mom, dad, and sister to help me out with the editing process and my friends at BU have been so supportive of it too,” she said, “Forty of my sorority sisters immediately ordered a copy when they found out what I was doing.”

Last month an advertisement and review of “Stand” was published in The Trident, the national magazine for Delta Delta Delta, the sorority Wilson was an active member of during her four-year undergrad experience at BU.

“Stand” has sold over 150 copies as a physical copy and digital download through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

“The investment I made to the publishing company was maybe 100 dollars, and from royalties I’ve gotten about two to three hundred back,” said Wilson.

Mikayla also runs a blog about the book that has received readers from all over the country, but it is the ongoing personal encouragement of her publishing efforts that has made the greatest impact on her.

“Marketing wise, my little brother tried to help by getting the Gay Straight Alliance at his school to buy copies, but he’s not the most organized person, so that didn’t really work out,” said Wilson with a laugh.

The Boston University senior plans to pursue a career as school counselor after graduation and currently does not see plans for a second book in her future.

“There was a message I wanted to get out and I did that. When I have a full time job I won’t have the free time to go through this process again, but if there’s another topic I’m really passionate about, I might give it a shot.”

Since graduating from Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences two years ago with a degree in Psychology, Mikayla has continued her mission to help and inspire others by working as a Facilitator for BodyImage3D, an organization dedicated to helping young women achieve a healthy "mind, body, and spirt." Currently, Wilson lives in North Carolina where she works for the National College Advising Corps, helping teenagers hoping to improve their lives through higher education.

"Stand" is still available in paperback through Amazon.