In the image titled "Reading Room," I hope to underscore the need for a more progressive and tolerant United States. The Covid-19 pandemic, for one, has shown that as a country, we struggle to accept change. We try to avoid change at all costs, and consequently, we damage our society. Every day, coronavirus case numbers are surging along with nationwide death tolls. Yet despite these horrifying statistics, many of us still refuse to wear a mask and abide by social distancing guidelines. Arguments that mask orders infringe on individual freedom are glaring examples of our country's reluctance to change, even when lives are at stake. And while the pandemic is a novel virus that has plagued the United States, racism is not. Systemic racism has infected our country for 400 years, and it is something that must be acknowledged and actively fought against. George Floyd, Eric Garner, and Breonna Taylor are few in a long list of names of people we have lost as a result of police brutality and a broken system. As a white person, I know that we are surrounded by acts of racism and undeniable evidence that Covid-19 has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color. But when we choose to stay blind to these racial inequities, we become part of the problem. Therefore, to begin dismantling a system of oppression, we need to educate ourselves about the history of racism and open our eyes to the injustices that are still happening every day. Additionally, we need to create sustained momentum for change within our country by staying informed and supporting leaders committed to addressing critical issues such as equitable education and criminal justice reform.