Many politicians throughout history have consistently raised the idea that America is better than any other country.
That we are the strongest, the smartest, the best at everything.
And then they try to use this idea of Americans being the "best" as an excuse to go to war with other countries and exclude immigrants from coming to the U.S.
And unfortunately, many every day Americans have bought into this façade.
They tout racism, incite violence, and cause disruption because they are blindly following a politicians word.
They are told that foreigners are threats to our way of life, and they do anything they can to stop the threat.
But they never stop to look at our similarities rather than our differences.
They never stop to think of immigrants as people rather than threats.
Everyone on this Earth has experienced the same emotions: happiness, sadness, pride, grief, excitement, anxiety.
We have all experienced the same, mundane tasks: getting up in the morning, eating breakfast, going to work, grocery shopping.
We all have loved ones; brothers, sisters, moms, dads, sons and daughters that we would do anything for.
We all want something better in life: a better job, a better house, a better car, better health.
We have all made mistakes, we have all done great things.
We have all wished for something.
In more ways than not, everyone's experience in life is the same.
And yet, we don't always think about that.
Humans, by nature, are selfish.
We want to think about what's best for ourselves, what we can gain from something.
We don't always think about others.
About what someone else might be going through, what they might be experiencing.
And sometimes, we don't think about how we may have hurt others.
We always think about the people that hurt us, but never the other way around.
So today, I want you to think about someone else.
Maybe an old friend, maybe a personal enemy.
Put yourselves in their shoes.
Seriously take a moment to think about how you are similar.
From big to small, every matching detail.
Because when you start paying attention, you'll realize that we are all the same.
We have all gone through the same emotions.
We are all just trying to be happy and lead a good life.
And when you start noticing this with everyone, even strangers you've never met, you'll lead a much more understanding and peaceful life.
So take a moment, think of someone, and put yourselves in their shoes.
How would you want to be treated?
