A father stands with his son holding the sign, “ Make America think again.”

As this year comes to end, individuals will begin to compose their list of New Year’s resolutions. One of the most important resolution we all need to consider is treating others the way we want to be treated. The way we treat someone shouldn’t begin with us examining their skin color or their outer appearance.

As Americans, we have seen and overcame a lot of racial injustices. At the end of the day we are all human. If we were to sit down with someone who is from a different cultural background than ourselves and ask them what do they want out of life, I am sure that their responses will be like our own. Listen, everyone is dealing and working to overcome their own personal struggles. We never know how close someone is to given up or contemplating suicide. The way you treat someone could brighten their whole day or cast a big dark gray cloud over it. Try to remember this when interacting with others.

America is a great nation, filled with great people. We must begin to think again. Dealing with the elephants in the room. What can we do to make America an even greater nation? A nation where other nations look to us to set the standards in their own countries. What can we do to stop the unnecessary killings of African Americans? What can we do to end poverty, hunger and homelessness?

Let us begin to practice being a nation filled with compassion, kindness and love for one another. Nothing is wrong or weird with being kind to a complete stranger. More fulfillment can come from being a part of a small act of kindness than winning the lottery. Money, cars or other material possessions will never meet the silent need of fulfillment that you may secretly want. When we all being to think again, let us think of how we can be the solution to the problems that society faces.