This past presidential election may have been one of the most controversial elections in recent memory. On one side, incumbent Donald Trump was pushing a narrative that the election was rigged in order to dissuade opposing voters from using the mail-in ballots. On the other hand, former vice president Joe Biden had his fair share of issues. Many people, myself included, had originally thought that he was too old and unfit for office. This is just the surface of the deep division the country has been showing for years previous.

Whether it’s healthcare, gun-control, foreign policies, this country is divided into two. Opinions are formed on political parties rather than what is best for the country. Differing opinions from arguments instead of understanding. This causes a disconnect between the citizens, which then causes hatred simply because someone has a different opinion than yourself. This hatred is something that does not need to be present, as we all live in the same country, and all want the same thing; a better future for this country.

The events leading up to the 2020 election displayed the disconnect of people in the United States. All over social media were many misleading ads, attacks on the candidates, arguing in the comment sections about who is the better candidate without using facts. This is a similar situation to mainstream media. Media outlets were using propaganda instead of fact, and when they did use the fact it was altered to make their preferred candidate look good, or the opposing candidate look bad. This is a problem, as the public then becomes misinformed on the candidates and then could end up voting for someone based on misinformation.

The citizens of this country are all in this together. There is injustice for way too many people, and we need to come together to fight for those people. That is not political. The pandemic is not political. Not everything is political. The city of Boston came together after the tragic events of the Boston Marathon bombing. That didn’t turn out to be political. There is a divide in this country, and it should not take another tragedy to make the country come together. If we do not, then there will be entirely too much hatred, too much arguing, and the fate of the country will fall into the wrong people’s hands.

One of the only ways to stop this divide is to elect the right leaders. That is not just at the federal level, that’s at the local and state level as well. Vote for people who are going to what is in the best interest of the people, not their pockets. Vote for people who actually show that they care. Make your voice heard. And start being understanding of other people. No two people on this planet have the same exact opinion, and that will never happen. Everyone has a different opinion. That’s okay, that is why democracy is a thing. But be more accepting of other people’s opinions, and learn from them. Have a healthy dialogue. That is how we, the people, can start to reunite the United States.