Dear Future President,

The saying that history repeats itself is true, and it's happening now. People shouldn’t be scared to go to school for just being different. People shouldn’t be afraid to walk down the street. People shouldn’t be terrified to be pulled over by the police, those who are support to “protect and serve”. People shouldn't be afraid to be themselves. I fear for a world where my child, or anyone else's, has to even think that the reason something may be, is because of the color of their skin.

It seems like every week, there is something new. All we see in the news is negative. All we see is murder. All we see is wrong, and like the saying, monkey see, monkey do. It destroys this country, and the media does nothing to stop it. We need change. We owe it to the children of America to make a country where they can be safe and be happy. 1,502 people have been killed by police in 2015, of which 381 are black. This number may seem unsubstantial, but considering African Americans only make up 12.3% of the population, this number is greatly disproportional. This may be because of the stigma that blacks are "more aggressive and maltempered." Stereotypes like this throughout all races, are the foundations for a racist, dystopian society.

People like to believe that the color of your skin does not matter in society anymore, but the reality is that it does. Fifty-six percent of citizens believe that racism is alive and is prevalent in modern times compared to 26% only 5 years ago. People have their stereotypes of everyone in the world, but it is up to us to break the molds that are supposed to shape us as a person. The color of your skin can dictate how others treat you and the opportunities that you get, but I, and many others, believe in equal opportunity. I mean, after all, isn’t that what this country is founded upon? Our founding fathers were of many races, many religions, many vastly different backgrounds. The thing is, if they can come together to create a great nation, is it not up to us to do the same? I have no doubt that if we can work together, we can create a lasting nation for our children.

Sincerely,

A hopeful student

Gallup, Inc. "Majority of Americans Say Racism Against Blacks Widespread." Gallup.com. N.p., 04 Aug. 2008. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.

"Poll: Most Americans See Lingering Racism -- in Others." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.

"White People Think Racism Is Getting Worse. Against White People." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.