America is Divided Now

Donald Trump is now the President Elect of the United States. Here is what ESU students think. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer Donald Trump is now the President Elect of the United States. Here is what ESU students think. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer
Donald Trump is now the President Elect of the United States. Here is what ESU students think. Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer
Donald Trump is now the President Elect of the United States. Here is what ESU students think.
Photo Credit / Kathleen Kraemer

By Nia Scott
Staff Writer

America is divided. No matter what the outcome of this election, this is a truth we cannot ignore.

We are divided by race, religion, climate change, and so much more. It seems no matter what the topic, we can’t agree.

There is no one person to blame for this division. Yes, many people this past year have helped and even encouraged the division, but this is not the time for blaming others.

To move forward, our country needs to acknowledge this division and begin to repair it.

Racial tensions in America are higher than ever. According to The Washington Post, The number of hate groups rose by 14 percent in 2015.

In this year, there have been crimes committed against all races, and the undercurrent of hate brewing in this nation could destroy us from the inside out.

Since the European settlers came to America, there have been racial tensions. This problem has lasted many years, but it is time to move forward and begin healing.

There is one religion that a number of Americans dislike, and it’s Islam. The level of islamophobia is rising daily.

An article by The Washington Post states that hate crimes motivated by islamophobia are five times higher than pre-9/11.

America was founded by immigrants and established as a country with religious freedom and tolerance.

As a nation, we need to remember that and work harder to fight for freedom of all religions.

Climate change is real. Most scientists agree that climate change is real and partially caused by humans.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is higher now than any time in the last 650,000 years.

The United States is the second largest contributor to carbon dioxide but only home to 4.4 percent of the world’s population.

This is a problem that politicians have tried to debunk, which has divided Americans into those that believe facts and science and those that don’t believe.

If America cannot come together on this issue, the Earth will get worse.

These issues and many others are ones that America needs to address, and to begin fixing our problems we have to work together. The division in America will not help us move forward.

We need to put aside our differences or find a way to compromise so that our country can progress and continue to thrive.

Together, we are an unstoppable, strong country that can achieve anything.

But divided, we are weak and should be putting our energy and passion where it matters, not focusing on fighting each other.

Email Nia at:
nscott5@live.esu.edu