Dear President, 

        In the hope that you will acknowledge the inequity that is revolving our society, I write this letter to you. It is 2017, and discrimination is something we as a whole are still struggling with. It is something that disappoints me as a citizen, and I can only hope it disappoints you as well. 

        There is still hatred towards the LGBQT community, those of darker skin colors, and those who live according different religious beliefs. Just a few months ago, Pulse, a gay club located in Orlando experienced something repulsive:  a shooting targeting those who identify as gay.  It sickens citizens who support the equality and tolerance of all people, and as our president, we citizens hope it angers you, as well.  We hope you take necessary actions and attempt to put an end to such hate crimes. 

        Furthermore, it has been quite a long time since segregation has legally ended, but that does not change the fact that we, people of color, are still looked down upon. This has been reflected through the negative acts committed by our government which have led to movements such as Black Lives Matter. Many black people are losing their lives over the slightest encounters usually provoked by a local, higher authority:  policemen. Rules and regulations on when and if a person should be arrested and/or punished need to be reevaluated since they have been questionable for a while now. Victims that we have lost to these wrongdoings include Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and many more that are too painful to keep listing. 

        Moreover, the United States is the land of the free, or at least that is what they like to say. But is freedom really valued when people are still judged for practicing their beliefs?  Just a few weeks ago, a Muslim woman went to interview for a job at a security company in St. Louis, but was denied because of her attire:  a hijab. "Islamophobia" has become a mainstream ideal in our society, which is a contradicts the ideas of tolerance which America claims to exemplify. Although there have been punishments, a lawsuit is not going to rectify such foul actions and words said by the offender. As the leader of our country, I hope you can reinforce this and establish legislation that can prevent such discrimination from occurring.

       All in all, discrimination is tearing our country apart. We need to hold each other together, not rip each other apart.  Discrimination is not what America is about. Any hate crimes should be taken as a serious crime with serious punishment. With that being said, I hope you, the President, takes this into consideration for a better America. 

                                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                                                Amayda Arroyo