September 29, 2016

Dear Future President,

Here in America there seems to be a problem with racism. Despite what people may say our country is far from equality and freedom for all. It is well known that black people, males in particular, have been targets of police brutality. Why do these officers shoot as a first resort when they see someone who “looks like a bad guy?” These officers are trained to tackle and disarm threats, they shouldn’t be allowed to take the lives of people without serious repercussions. There are instances when the threat is being violent and the officer’s life is in danger and it's understandable that they may need to utilize their guns, but there are ways to neutralize threats without killing them because not every crime deserves a death sentence.

In addition to that there are also problems with this whole idea that only certain groups can be seen as victims. This idea is often found amongst the liberal parties. This unfair mindset means that if a white man is in a white supremacist group that they are racist and a nazi, but if a black person is in a black supremacist group it's not as bad. I’m not commending either ideas that one race is superior, in fact that completely contradicts my letter, but there is this unfair double standard.

I think what we need to do is eradicate this idea that something as simple as pigmentation can determine who someone is and how we treat them. It is now your job to spread the idea of compassion and peace towards everyone so that we may live in a better country.

Sincerely,

Ana Perez