America is going through a transitional period, not only because of its swiftly approaching controversial election, but also because of the growing tension over its diversity. In “The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation” Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell display a sequence of illustrations in the beginning of the comic, that shows America thriving as a nation. Throughout the whole visual text there are scrolls with quotes from the constitution to go along with the scenes. The second half of the visual text shows how later in America’s history, after amendments were passed, white males weren’t the only ones with equal rights. In the first scene of the image with an American flag trapped in the vault, an angel backed by minorities and women, held the white legislative males trapped and panicked. This represents the God-given rights of all the people of the population being suppressed. The next scene in the same image is of the vault being opened with military men holding the free flag with a diverse population honoring it.   The image from the story shows unity within America’s diverse population which stands out today considering current tension between blacks and whites.

History is the best way to prepare for the future because ultimately history repeats itself. Since the beginning of America’s history black people have made tremendous strides in earning freedom and equal rights. During the process we have seen great leaders emerge and society has changed. In the 19th century Abraham Lincoln emerged as the leader credited with freeing slaves against all social normality’s. In the 1950s and 60s Martin Luther King stood up for what he saw as evil like racial discrimination and suppression. Even in the 1980s the music group “N.W.A.” was being suppressed by authorities because of their outspoken lyrics and the color of their skin. This fight against discrimination and suppression is still present today. The “Black Lives Matter” protests along with the growing freedom of speech of modern music seems to be a common tactic against protesting the government. 

Some modern events that are dividing the nation are the police shootings of black people. Stemming from this are the riots and protests that follow. What adds fuel to the fire is the media’s all day coverage of these events and depending on what news channel one watches, forms one’s opinion and almost devotes them to a “side.” The atmosphere within the U.S. today is a “us vs. them” mentality. On top of all this division within our country, there is an upcoming election that almost solidifies the “sides” and only adds more division mixed with argument and debate to society.

There is a new form of protest currently in America. Football is one of America’s most popular sports. Starting this year there have been multiple instances where some of the leagues black prominent players have been kneeling or sitting during the national anthem starting with the San Francisco 49er’s quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. This form of protest blew up on all types of media and drove the public crazy. This protest was so interesting because it was one of the first times the black community had well known figures showing support publicly to their ongoing cause. This act was lashed at from many white people because it was peacefully public which made a statement.

It is hard to say that division in America isn’t almost at its boiling point. It seems as though Americans are not living under a constitution that “today follows more closely to the values most Americans share”(Hennessey/McConnell, 203).  Some people are fine with sweeping these apparent tensions under the rug and letting the pot boil. However, rational people must realize that the situation in America currently is not of the second scene where the flag stands free from the vault with diverse smiles standing together. There is corruption on both sides of the argument. This division is no longer a legislative battle, but it is a battle within our own citizen’s individual stubbornness. Whites need to stop buying into their lasting prejudices while blacks must stop boasting about police brutality of which they don’t truly know nothing about. The goal of the American citizens should be to live free and live in a country where the freedom in the flag isn’t tied down by the vault.