Everywhere I go now, it seems that there’s an unspoken tension around me. This tension builds more every day. And I know I’m not the only one who feels it. We all do. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what we believe.

I think it would be impossible to point my finger to one thing, and say that’s what causing all of this, because it’s a build-up of millions of little things. It’s the arguments that constantly take the place of conversation. It’s the arrogance of every person thinking they’re right and everyone else is wrong. It’s the misinformation that’s always floating around the media, creating problems where none should’ve ever been. It’s the refusal to put ourselves in other’s shoes for a second, and try to understand why they believe what they believe.

It doesn’t matter what side of it you’re on, it surrounds all of us.

All of those things molded together over time creates this feeling in us that our society is failing. But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching far too many horror films, division is sometimes the greatest enemy. It’s the one thing that can break down any group, no matter how strong it may be.

I think it’s time we realize that it doesn’t have to be this way in our country.

In my opinion, we need to stop spreading hate; to our President, to those who support him, to those who don’t, to those who didn’t become our President. In place of our hostility, we need to start having conversations. How can we work with what we have? What can we compromise on, that we didn’t think we could? Why do people think the way they do, what stories do they have that we don’t?

When we start to ask these questions and truly listen to the answers, that’s where we’ll start to heal. That’s what our country needs to stand on. We don’t have to agree on everything, and honestly, it’s important that we don’t. However, we need to learn how to respect the differences and embrace them, because that weakness can also be our strength.

It’s not impossible; it’s happened before and it can happen again. After the terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert in England, something incredible happened; people came together and looked past their differences. They helped. They looked out for one another. They offered kind words. They were united.

I think our country would do well to take a lesson from that night. Although we may think it’s impossible, it can always be done. Unity is achievable, but only if we truly want it and work for it.

The United States is still one of the best countries in the world; shouldn’t we keep it that way?