All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Cracks in the Country
On July 4th, the America we live in seemed to shake beneath our feet.
The flags we would allow to wave outside our homes, the fireworks that we would glimpse at on television, and the feeling of pure joy we used to have was not present.
Because we recognized that not everyone knows “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Our streets that once held children’s laughs
Turned to fire and pepper spray
As the protests for change evolved
And our country divided once more.
Our country once opened its borders
To people of all origins, nationalities, and races
Yet, we built a wall against Mexico
Shielding ourselves from our past values.
Our country once had cities that embraced diversity, cities that heard the stories of different cultures and allowed us to learn from each other.
Our country once fought for each person
Regardless of gender, nationality, or where they came from
The words “equality” and “freedom” used to echo.
But now we are at a crossroads because we do not know who we are.
The principles we prided ourselves on standing up for sink like the glaciers melting in the ocean, and the words we have said are just words that disappear as they float into the air.
Our hearts will beat together and our voices will be in song.
Our people will build bridges from inland to the coast.
And we will learn to embrace the way each person’s heart molds
As we see our common ground.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.