By Toni Dowrey

America is going through change. We have a new president who is causing an uproar. Some see it as bad, and some see it as the change America needs. Either way it is causing a big commotion.

Do you use social media? If you do, then you can see the outpouring of posts on both sides, the arguments breaking, the photos of marches and protests, the memes — and the other people trying to ignore it all.

I believe America IS great. Of the countries in this world, we are the best one, and I am so proud to be an American. We have many rights and opportunities that other countries do not have. I feel we are very blessed being a part of this great nation.

However, America has turned into labels. We don’t seem to be people anymore. We are either labeling ourselves or labeling others. We are liberals, conservatives, Christians, Muslims, whites, blacks, Asians, Mexicans, immigrants, middle class, poor, or anything else that we can come up with.

What happened to “Americans”? What happened to “neighbors”? What happened to “one nation under God”? Why are we anything but Americans?

We are all living in this nation together, yet we are tearing it apart. We the people are tearing it apart. The very people our Constitution was written for are putting America in jeopardy of falling.

We, the people, no longer seem to care about the nation, but we seem to care about ourselves. While our military goes out to fight and protect this country, the people here are chipping it away.

The people elected a president who claims he will make America great again. Why are we putting all of our faith into one man to do this job? Why are we not doing our part?

It is easier to blame others than take any responsibility for your own part of where we are now. If you want to make America great again, what can you do?

Stop social media posts that cause and stir up debate, hatred and anger. Stop labeling people in America as anything other than Americans. Yes, of course, for the debaters, there are some illegal citizens, but you know what I am trying to say.

Stop placing blame on the past and start focusing on what we can do with the future. Be the change for the future. Even if it is just in your neighborhood or church, be great.

We are a nation of united individuals. We form a country called the United States of America. It is time we all start acting like a united country and stop dividing and tearing it apart.

The president can do anything he wants to do, but until the people start putting forth their own efforts, the change to being great again will continue to be a hope and not a reality.

Toni L. Dowrey is a motivational speaker and author from Suffolk. Visit her Facebook page at facebook.com/findingyoubook.