You saw the word politics and thought this was just another rant on the election, didn't you? I hate to be a disappointment and crush that expectation for you, but this is so much more important. We have a bigger problem than Donald Trump becoming the next president, and it would still be a problem if Hillary had won the election. The problem we face now within our communities is far deeper than all of that and much larger then even the next leader of our nation. We won't talk about the issues behind all of the hatred. Call it party differences, call it your moral compass, or call it what it is, the inability to open your eyes, and give someone the right to hold an opinion.

This election cycle has been a circus from day one. This has only made the political atmosphere of the United States more and more aggressive and stopped any attempt at progress. Look at us. We are taught not to talk about politics because heaven forbid we offend someone that may see the world through a different lens. The problem isn't the political ideas themselves, it's our inability to accept that someone would dare to not agree. I am in no way saying either party is right or wrong or that either nominee was a good one, because they both have major flaws, but so do we all. The problem is that we are locking away our words and instead exchanging civil conversation and debate for violence and guns in order to make ourselves heard. This goes for both sides. We render our message useless and empty.

We as a society need to grow up and be mature enough to talk about those issues we disagree on. Without knowledgeable calm dialogue, how can anyone expect real change? Look at the debates. Everyone mocked them because it was completely a joke. Falling to that level that our candidates did doesn't so us any god. The way we are reacting promotes more violence and teaches the younger generations that words are no longer valued. You have a voice, you have the right to express yourself. Use that voice to change this world. Show the generations that are growing up that they can be world changers and not have to resort to horrific acts to be heard.

Do your research. This world is a terrifying place. Don't trust what you read on social media. Look into more than one news source, because we are an inherently biased people. We can do so much better than create an unmanageable chaos. We have come too far to have voices silenced and made to seem crazed with acts of violence. I believe in the good people have to offer. Prove me right. Prove to this nation that the power of language is not obsolete.