2016 has been a year of many shocking events. From Trump for President to Brock Turner's rape case, it seems that people are more willing to stand up for what they believe in whether that may be good or bad. What 2016 hasn't shown is change. Progress is slow, that is true. But the progress of this country seems to be at a stand still, if not moving backwards.

Twitter, and other social media outlets, have taken charge of many movements. They're easy to update quickly and efficiently, showing many young Americas recent news from earthquakes to shootings. But when tragedy strikes, it seems these social media outlets are the only things being changed.

Today in 2016, it seems that our freedom of speech has taken to freedom of text and real action is decreasing by the minute. People are starting to feel that it is easier to post about controversial topics than go out and protest. And yes, that might be exactly what I am doing right now, but it is the truth. With the large amounts of police brutality and shootings that has happened and been shown to the public over the past year or more, it does become easier to fight behind a screen than in person. But when does something go so far over the line that someone has to say - enough.

Popular topics like gun control, racial discrimination, college rape and more are topics that need action. They need people to go out and talk about them. They need young adults to fight for them. They need people to stop hiding behind the screens of their computers and phones and actually go out and make the change.

Reading articles, watching videos and seeing people's overall opinions about events that shape our country and us as people are good. They can help many people grow and understand the topics and the controversy behind them. They may help one person change their opinion for the better and want to go out and take action. Now isn't the time to stop posting opinions, videos, writings, art pieces, etc. But why isn't that enough? Why does it seem that nothing is changing? And why is it so scary to go out and use actions to make a change? To all those questions, I honestly have no answers. Maybe it's the growing amount of violence. Maybe it's the fact that people seem to genuinely want to hurt others. Tear them down until there is nothing left. Maybe it's tied to the lingering thoughts in the back of people's mind that if they go out and fight, they might get hurt or even killed.

To the many people taking action and fighting, I applaud you. You are the bravest people that this world will seem. And for the people talking about taking action, you are just as brave. But is the change that is only happening behind our screens and through our text enough? Never.