What does being an American really mean?
I would rather fail trying, posting, snapchatting, and discussing, than to “succeed” in the superficial image of passive silence.
Th the handful of American history courses I haven taken in my young, twenty year old life, I have learned enough to realize there were certain periods of uncertainty within the two hundred years this country has been alive, where political activism was instrumental in ensuring the United States continued to progress in a positive direction.
Right now — I’m stressed. Being a college student, I’m preparing to enter reality, studying each day to become an educated, influential member of society. The next four years will have an incredible impact on the beginning of my adult life, especially as my country changes in ways I could have never expected. Any time I think about this, I get one of those feelings; you know, tenseness in your neck, your knees relentlessly bouncing up and down as you study — a physical call to action.
I am fearful of the future politically. I wonder how advances in cyber warfare, terrorism, and climate change may negatively affect the world as we know it. I was a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, a proud member of the inspired Democrats who were sure she would win. I cherished the slogan, “Stronger Together.” I was encouraged by the mere notion that a woman could soon be president, one so qualified and knowledgeable.
I was certain that the disgraceful, racist, sexist, and otherwise insensitive shades of Donald Trump and his entire campaign would safeguard his demise. Yet, that was not the case. Somehow, some way, that man became the President-elect of this glorious country, and each day I try to cope with that reality.
Sometimes I feel that I should relax and “trust the process.” However, much more frequently there are times where I remember the American activists I have always admired — Alice Paul and Martin Luther King, Jr., just to name two. These once ordinary people have become my personal heroes as they refused to relax and allow politics to naturally take it’s course. Rather, they intervened; they fought for the voices of those who deserved to be heard.
There are moments where I feel I should post about less about political issues on my Facebook, Snapchat, etc. But quickly, that physically uncomfortable yet motivating call to action returns. I have come to the understanding that for me, being an American really means being fearless and dedicated, willing to create constructive dialogue about our nation’s problems and collaborate with others on how we can fix them.
The entire 2016 presidential election ignited a fire deep within my mind that I didn’t even know could be sparked. I seek to become an American who contributes for the betterment of all, and for some reason I feel that cause is threatened under the intimidating forces of Donald Trump, his military heavy cabinet, and an increasingly terrifying Russian Federation. Nevertheless, I won’t give up. You shouldn’t either.
If you believed in the slogan, “Stronger Together,” simply consider how as living, breathing, young Americans we have a responsibility to uphold the values of equality and respect we hold so dear. I would rather fail trying, posting, snapchatting, and discussing, than to “succeed” in the superficial image of passive silence.
