A Gallup Poll found in 2011 that only 44 percent of Americans believe that the next generation will have a better life than their parents. This is the lowest amount of Americans since the question was first asked in 1983.

America’s unity has always been in question, dating back to the beginning of the fight for independence. However, a common theme that has recurred throughout time is the diffusing of American unification.

Race relations are continuously becoming intensified in America, especially the relationship between the police and the African American community.

One of the most highly coveted and continuous battles is whether police should receive further training for situations where they are not sure if the perpetrator has a weapon. Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Alton Sterling are just a few of the many unarmed African Americans who have become victims of police shootings. The killing of Brown in Ferguson helped spark the Black Lives Matter campaign. This is a great movement; however, instead of Americans persecuting police, police need to be better trained for situations in which they don’t know if the perpetrator has a weapon.

There are two conventional defenders to these events: defenders of the police, and defenders of the offenders.

The two sides create a hostile situation, in which there can be grave consequences. Protests often turns to violence. The police often contain the situation, and receive a worse reputation because they need to use force to suppress the protest.

On Dec. 20, 2014, in New York, two police officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot and killed by Ismaaiyl Brinsley. This story has spread across the nation. Police simply don’t know if a person is armed or unarmed. They have every right to be concerned with the lives of not only themselves, but the civilians around them. If this means having to take measures into their own hands, they should take it; however, in a less fatal manner.

America is also divided politically. This election has dumbfounded much of America and people are voting for the greater of two evils. Yes, there are negatives to every candidate, but the divide that America has seen because of the election is extreme. Complex Life compiled interesting statistics through a survey: only nine percent of American’s are satisfied with our nation’s politics. They go on to explain that great numbers of people disagree with the hostility of the election this year.

The hostility between the candidates rubs off on the rest of America. Additionally, the poll found that 18 percent of friendships have been ruined due to the election (last year only seven percent). The abhorrence of the election has divided America more than anything else. Factually, people are ending friendships more than ever, and anti-Trump rallies have cancelled many of his national trips. The election is ruining our integrity as a nation, and based on who wins will further isolate us. However, this should not be the case. Americans, regardless of who is chosen as president, should be able to find a common ground, and continue to make consistent strides of success.