So on Wednesday night, my radical cousin, who I haven't spoken to in two years, thought it was a good idea to call me out in a status. To say I hate the United States because I do not share his political beliefs. This is not the first time something like this has happened. I'm from a southern family with views that I generally disagree with, so it's to be expected. But let me clear this up right now: I do not want to kill children. I do not believe in censoring history. I surely do not value anyone's life over another. And I do not hate this country.

What I am is a person who believes in fundamental human rights, and that includes the woman's right to choose, fighting both blatant and systemic racism, creating lasting wealth for more than the .001%, and growing by learning the most accurate history possible.

Our country was founded on stealing land, raping, killing to get what we want, arrogance, and slavery. Because of that, people have to fight for the rights they should have had in the first place. Protest and riots don't come out of nowhere. They happen because we refuse to pay the consequences of treating Blacks, LGBTQIA+, Asian, Polynesian, Latinos, special needs, women, and so much more as second-class citizens who the rich profit from. It will take centuries for the United States to get anywhere close to correcting those tragedies. It will take centuries for us to create a society that is genuinely for the people and not just some people. We need to be open-minded, compromise where we can, and stand firm when we can't.

I do not believe most people are intentionally trying to tear down or destroy this country. But our country is not great and needs to change. We need to realize that what you believe is not a fact, and you can not force it on others. We need to accept that whites have had a legal and socioeconomic advantage through "owning" property during our country's founding. We need to recognize that people do not always know they are racist because it can be subconscious. Most importantly, we need to actively listen to those who we disagree with rather than delete them. How can we ever change or expect to become better if we do not challenge our beliefs?