Racism is a tough topic that many people are either too afraid to talk about or get way too defensive as soon as the topic is brought up. And whether people care to admit it or not, it is still a sad reality in America that even in the 21st century, it still exists. As many of you know, recent events in this country have sparked mass amounts of controversy, and it has become a popular view that the source of racism in this country stems from the Republican party and anyone who dares call themselves a conservative.

For anyone who knows me or follows me on social media, you'll know a few things about me. You'll know that I love pancakes, Lord of the Rings, and I always enjoy a good meme. However what many people don't know is... I grew up in a conservative household.

I know... that was a lot to take in. If you need a couple minutes to grab some bubble tea to calm your nerves before you keep reading feel free, there's some more mind blowing information to come. I know what some of you might be thinking... "how can Odyssey allow a racist Republican to write for them on their website?!?!?!?!". Well here's another mind-blowing fact for everyone... I was raised Republican, and I am not a racist.

Contrary to popular belief, I was not raised in a household of cross burners and clansmen. In fact, I was raised in a house where my mom and I listened to Snoop Dogg in the car and my dad introduced my sister and I to just about every non-European food out there. Smell that? That's a fresh batch of stereotypes being broken right there. And that's what I'm here to talk about... stereotypes.

If I could describe stereotypes as if it were a person... try to imagine that kid in class who was always telling on everyone and trying to get people in trouble, that total suck up to the teacher. Remember that jerk? Yeah. that's stereotypes for you. Stereotypes serve only to get in our heads and make us judge and condemn people around us before we ever meet them. We see on both sides, well educated, kind individuals being labeled as "idiots" and "fascists" solely on the political party they affiliate with. Now before anyone gets mad in the comments, I fully acknowledge that there are conservatives out there who burn crosses and are racist bigots, and I will always denounce them and will never support them. And there are liberal extremists who go out and burn cities and shoot up baseball practices. However, to try and put every person under this umbrella is simply ignorant. The same way that some conservatives paint every Muslim as a terrorist or every liberal as an idiot. We as a country need to come together and realize that regardless of political affiliation, religion, race, or sexual orientation. We are all human, and we all have feelings, and we all want what's best for the country in our eyes.

I may not hold all the same political beliefs that members of my family have, but there was nothing wrong with the way I was raised. I was taught to work hard for things I wanted in life, I was taught that in order to gain respect, I had to give respect. I was taught that anything in life was achievable if you were willing to work for it. Now I am by no means perfect, I've made mistakes throughout life, but these principles helped build up the man that I am today.