The year of 2016 has been interesting, to say the least. Along with one of the most highly anticipated and disastrous presidential campaigns of all time, chaos has ensued throughout the United States in response to police violence against black individuals and the increased terror threat of the Islamic State’s reign.

The 2016 president election will go down as one of the most upsetting in U.S. history.

The two contenders, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have arduously battled in their attempts to lure in a disappointed American public. Many Americans have classified Donald Trump as a mockery of the title of U.S. president. His unchecked antics, racial displays of ignorance, and sexist remarks to name a few, have led even staunch Republicans to turn their backs on their political party. On the contrary, Hillary Clinton has her own list of flaws. With a history of lies and irresponsibility, as well as what is believed to be deteriorating physical health, Clinton has lost many potential voters of her own.

The recent publicized national debate on television had an inconclusive victor.  On one side, there are those who wholeheartedly believe Trump was unfairly targeted by the moderator, Lester Holt, and thus, unfairly critiqued; others believe that Clinton came out on top and sounded more professional overall.

Although this debate was pivotal, it remains unclear who the next president will be. It is ultimately up to the American public to elect the more qualified nominee as the next president—a daunting task—otherwise, things could get even uglier.

Recent events in Charlotte regarding the shooting of black man Keith Scott—who was shot by police as he was believed to be holding a gun—sparked even more protests from the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Oftentimes, these protests depict a false representation of the movement’s true intentions and have resulted in rampant disorder throughout U.S. streets, communities, and inner cities.

However, some people including San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick have turned to an alternative method of protest—taking a knee during the national anthem. In response, many Americans have become outraged by what they classify as an unspeakable act of patriotic neglect, while others have classified Colin as a noble and courageous American patriot. Even Cleveland Cavaliers superstar, LeBron James, has made comments referencing his own son’s life being jeopardized if he were to get pulled over by a cop in the future, revealing the wide scope of attention this issue is drawing in.

With growing tension on both sides of the debate regarding BLM’s modes of change in the U.S., many are left wondering if true change will ever come.

The influence of the Islamic State has also become a domestic issue. Following a year of unspeakable atrocities throughout the world—including one in Miami—the Islamic State has targeted New York City—one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

In a failed attempt to set off a bomb in New York City’s Penn Station, the Islamic State showed their unrelenting pursuit of destruction, even towards their most powerful enemy. If it weren’t for an unsuspecting homeless person going through the trash, it is likely that numerous citizens would’ve lost their lives following the bomb’s detonation.

With what seems like a never-ending list of problems, Americans fear the future ramifications. It has become quite apparent that extremists of all sorts not only halt any potential improvement but degrade American ideals and pursuits. If the U.S. doesn’t contain and correct current and future problems before they escalate, America may very well be doomed.