Turmoil is widespread, and the coexistence between the many cultures is getting more difficult to find each and every day. Many living in the United States are in a post-election depression and are in strife over the future of our country. Muslims are being shunned and stereotyped because of the extremists associated with their religion. Aleppo, Syria is facing more and more civilian deaths as the Syrian regime is attempting to seize the entire city. The LGBTQ community is being told where it can and cannot use the restroom by people who do not know what its members have gone through.

Chaos has become an epidemic spread amongst the world for those who choose to look at it that way. While these circumstances seem a legitimate excuse to hate, discriminate and protest, we do not need anymore of that in our world. What we do need is to join forces. I know how cheesy it sounds, and people say it all the time, but they are right because we need to move away from our hateful ways and begin integrating a more uplifting environment for everyone.

This division of cultures is real and it’s erroneous. Yes, there are reasons for animosity but there is no more room for it in a world already crowded with it.

The Coexist Campaign is not just the sticker you see on the back of a hippie’s car. The campaign works in areas around the world, known as conflict zones, to improve the lives of family and children and also works toward bettering social cohesion between communities. It is recognizing the chaos and division and bringing to light a way to repair the brokenness. According to the campaign itself, approximately 92% of donations go directly to the support programs that need it. That is exactly $25,976,328 of the total $31,366,698 raised by the campaign. With 33 different undergoing projects in 9 different countries, Coexist works toward creating more civic participation, social entrepreneurship, increasing stability, inclusivity, equality, education, empowerment and opportunity for those who do not have it otherwise. Understanding the crisis at hand changes the way you see it. Learning about the art of relationships with one another will bring cohesion to our divided world.

While it is easy to support the Coexist Campaign with a simple donation or with the purchase of a piece of their merchandise, individuals can also work towards mending the division of cultures in your own community. By simply having the mindset that prejudice is wrong, you can change the thoughts of others with only your words.

That is all that I am doing with this column.

It is, quite literally, as simple as holding back the hateful comments in your head and only spreading the good stuff. Apply more mindfulness to the way your views and opinions affect those around you and more coexistence within our cultures.