The presidential race, if nothing else, has spotlighted all the interstate conflicts, social injustices, economic downturn, and political corruption, not just on the national level, but within the global sphere. With the fate of our country in the hands of power players eager to siphon influence from its constituents, it is imperative that we remain autonomous and component in our understanding, and approach, toward political affairs. As we watch the façade of indirect democracy melt into oligarchy, just like the Nazi face burning scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," we must maintain a semblance of self. Through the conflation of education and action, we must do what we fear our future leaders will not: help people.

In viewing stark photographs, watching clip snippets, and reading terrifying articles, the Syria crisis, the Yemen crisis, the Venezuela crisis shake me. Sometimes, living in the United States can detach one from these international conflicts—it is not at the forefront of our minds as we struggle with the cost of college, what food to eat, and how to get through Monday. The geographical isolation can advocate a disturbing emotional nonchalance. We assume politicians and humanitarians and journalists are out there, scoping and solving the problems.

But witnessing countless slaughter of innocent men, women, and children, and superfluous death, an emotional accessibility and basic human empathy is invoked. When a Yemeni child is splayed on debris and dust, with skin stretched tight over his ribs, the geographical distance shrinks. We can no longer push the problem off because, in doing so, we accept its presence and allow it to perpetuate. That’s not the case. The problem has to stop.

Here is how YOU can help:

1. The most obvious, yet crucial, way is to donate money, food, clothes, anything and everything you can afford.

If you’re the type of person who throw spare change in tip jars because you hate the clunky jingle of pennies, nickels, and dimes, try pocketing some change instead. You will be surprised how fast it all adds up. Transform this coin collection challenge into a sizable donation to a humanitarian charity. Brew your coffee at home, instead of making a daily trip to Starbucks. Ask for a donation as a Christmas/Hanukkah gift.

2. Read and share news articles, pictures, updates, research, etc.

People are more likely to feel a connection and experience a visceral response, to these distant issues if they are exposed to them regularly. A constant reminder of the reality in these affected countries can help adjust our own response.

3. Continue your education.

Through further educating yourself on the issues, and more importantly, on how to solve them, you can fight wars with knowledge. By collaborating and networking with on-campus organizations aimed at analyzing, supporting, and ideally resolving national and international conflicts, productive discussion and action can arise. This can lead to internship and job opportunities that present an individual with decisive political clout, or the potential to be politically persuasive.

4. Get involved at the local level.

Volunteering at local homeless shelters can save lives as well. It may seem like less of a grandiose gesture, but it makes a difference all the same. Once donating time and money becomes habitual, doing the same for refugees or civilians in war-torn territories will be a natural progression.

5. Practice kindness in all realms of life.

Treat everyone with compassion. Pay it forward with random acts of kindness. Help a friend. Help a stranger. Put positivity and sympathy out into the world. If an individual treats everyone with equal respect, it sets a precedent and deems kindness as the default setting for humanity.

Everything we do has an effect. Every effort made impacts us on some level. These may seem like small steps, but you know what they say about those: “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”