Dear Mr. or Mrs. President,

As a troubled citizen I write to you in regards to our nation’s unity. I am worried that amidst all of the conflicting issues within our country, like abortion and immigration laws, we are neglecting the most important issue that threatens to destroy our nation from the inside: division.

We as citizens of this nation, need a president who will display leadership through the unification of our nation’s people; one that will selflessly dedicate his or her life to the service of the American people. Ruling selfishly to boost one’s name and reputation or simply to gain more power is not what our executive officer should practice and is precisely what our founding fathers fought to protect against. In the mid-1700s, Britain presided over the first American colonies, and the first American settlers fought against the English monarchy’s rule for the freedom we enjoy today. The key to our early American founder’s success was the fact that they were unified in their efforts against the English monarchy. Benjamin Franklin penned in his news printing company, a political cartoon that read, "United we stand, divided we fall". This helped to illustrate for the American people that we were truly a powerful people when united, however, are just as weak when internally divided.

The darkest parts of American history is when our nation is divided. Division is the enemy of unity and threatened to destroy our nation many years ago during the Civil War. The Civil War, lasting from 1861-1865, created a political, social, and economic divide in our nation that almost led to a permanent succession of the south from the north. I fear that after seeing the events that take place that there is a similar divide in our nation’s people today.

We can clearly see that history does repeat itself when it is not learned from. To prevent another major divide in our country, our main focus should start with the reuniting the American people. Conflicts between the police and African American citizens will never be resolved unless we set aside our different views, political parties, and racial discriminations to come together with a common bond as “Americans”. The only way to effectively wear the name of unity without putting it into practice. Just as Malcolm X said during one of his speeches,"We cannot think of uniting with others, until after we have first united among ourselves."

I know how difficult it is to try and lead a group of divided people, I know the effort it takes, and I know that it won’t come easy, but it is necessary for our success and ignoring it is not an option. The president is the cornerstone for our success as a whole and the thread that can weave our nation back together. That is why I am asking for your help in this manner of making the United States truly united again.

Unity is in our nation's name. Much blood was spilled to preserve it and people around the world look to it with reverence and as an example of how they wish to run their country. We are, by all means, not perfect, but that is part of living in an imperfect world. The United States of America is a name of pride and patriotism, reminding us that we do come from a long line of freedom fighters who made it their life's goal to craft the best democracy. As the American machine, each person working in conjunction one another for progress allows it to run smoothly. As the president, it’s your duty to fix any issues within the American machine that set it up down the wrong track. How are you going to unify our nation for success?

Your student for change,

Vincent M