Dear Future President,

In 2012 a crime was committed by George Zimmerman. Zimmerman shot and killed a 17-year-old black male, and from that day forward there has been issues with white police officers, or any police officers in this matter, and African American citizens. According to statistics, just in the City of Jackson Michigan, crime rates have gone up astronomically. With having issues between the two groups of people it has caused the media to broadcast more and more about the killings of African Americans by white cops.

As the issue is progressing, more people are beginning to hate the police and there are actually people trying to kill the police. I believe there is a problem with the way our police are treated today. With them risking their lives every day for people who they don’t even know, I feel like they should be treated with the utmost respect. Since the 2012 case, many more have occurred and have been presented on the news for the public to decide how they feel. When doing so those who feel they are being targeted, in this case African American people, they tend to fight back which is very understandable. When having loved ones being killed I understand the heartbreak and melancholy you receive from such an event, but I have noticed that when those who do try to fight against the killings, they do so in a poor manor. They tend to fight back with violence believing it will make a point for them but I don’t think they are thinking their actions through. Fighting violence with violence only causes more violence.

I feel as if they forget that those people, not only whites but blacks as well, who put a badge on every day to protect have a heart behind that badge. They have a mind, feelings, and families, and no matter what they think they all bleed just like us. They have an oath to protect us citizens even if it boils down to having their life taken away. I do get that there will always be bad cops, but I think others tend to forget that not all police are bad and neither are African Americans. I believe that not all black are bad and not all cops are bad. There is good in everybody we just tend to read between the lines of the stereotypes.

Being in a small town outside of Jackson, Michigan and my father being a retired cop, I know well enough what goes on even in a small city. I think I am very lucky to be sheltered from the reality of life at my age. With our town slowly creeping its name up the list of most dangerous cities, it shows how well police are doing their job by keeping young high school students like me sheltered from such horrific scenes and situations. I am very thankful for those risking their lives for mine.

I hope that soon the police will be respected for the hard work and bravery they give for us and this won’t be as big of an issue as it is now. Maybe you will be able to change our stereotypes. Almost five years later and this is still a talked about issue day by day and I hope that soon the safety of our officers will increase.

Sincerely,

Macy