Dear Future President,

As you have seen on the news lately and throughout history there is and always has been an issue in regards to equal treatment of African Americans. One of the greatest issues is the lack of education when it comes to this subject. When the statement “Black Lives Matter” came into play many people who have never felt the oppression themselves replied with “All Lives Matter”. The statement “Black Lives Matter” is not saying that all lives do not matter, it is recognizing the considerable amount of oppression that the black community faces each day. Some forget that is was only fifty two years since the civil rights movement, where many fought for simple rights such as, dining in a restaurant, or being able to sit where they choose on a public bus.

Derrick Rose, who played for the Chicago Bulls at the time wore a shirt with “I Can’t Breathe” written on the front in support of the wrongful death of Eric Garner. Garner spoke these words while he was held in a chokehold, which he later died from. Political statements such as this have opened a new wave of awareness and support but, with these statements comes waves of ignorance and stupidity.

One of the largest reasons today’s youth are not in support of “Black Lives Matter” is because they do not understand. Those who are protesting feel as if “it’s not a big deal” or “slavery was so long ago, they have rights now”. As a president it is your job to put forth a plan to educate young minds. As a student of a Pennsylvania public school, I have learned about the three branches of government and the Declaration of Independence in extensive detail every year since I was in first grade, but I have never been taught extensively about slavery and The Civil Rights Movement. Any information I have learned in school was taught quickly in a short amount of time and avoided how serious African American’s oppression was, and still is. This time period is a shameful part of our history, and still continues to be a part of the 21st century.

As the next president of the United States it is your job to fight for the rights of this generation and any generation following. I ask you to use your power to make a positive change for those struggling for freedom and human rights. There is a need for social and judicial changes. Humans need to recognize the value of life despite their race, and you as President need to lead this lead this revolution. The first step to change is the education on the past to prevent the same mistakes in our future.