Over the past couple of years, we have seen some pretty controversial and interesting topics come up in the news. Legalizing marijuana, legalizing gay marriage, police brutality and deaths, mass shootings, gender identifications and equality, this coming presidential election; the list goes on. In most, if not all, of the discussions I watched or heard, there was always two things I found in common: no one was right and everyone became offended. It has gotten so obnoxious and ridiculous that I don't even watch the news or keep up with current events anymore. The only time I come across news stories and current events is when I stumble upon articles people share on Facebook or see memes about current events on the app "iFunny." We get so caught up in how we feel and focus so much on our own feelings that we lose sight of the issue at hand and in the end we don't find an answer.

Here are some examples of what I mean. In the past few years, America has seen several mass shootings occur within our borders. So what do we, as a nation, do about it? One side says we should instill more gun control so the screening is more vigorous and the "wrong people" don't get their hands on the deadly weapons. The other side says we should keep gun control as is because of our First Amendment right to bear arms and so people are able to protect and defend themselves. Since the debate on this topic began, there have been multiple mass shootings, and still no answer, resolution, or compromise to the issue. We love to debate about it, get emotional, and put our two cents in, but no one is doing anything about it. The media continues to fuel the fire on the subject, yet no one can come up with a solution that a majority can agree on. While numerous attacks occur, people die, and families suffer, we continue to debate and argue and resolve nothing.

Another example: recently, police have been under scrutiny for multiple deaths of black people. It infamously began with the death of Michael Brown in 2014 and has been a reoccurring issue since. A civil rights movement entitled "Black Lives Matter" began shortly after to call these killings to attention. Some people became offended that the movement only focused on black people, so a new movement started called "Blue Lives Matter" to call attention to those men and women who work for the police and lost their lives in the line of duty. Eventually, another movement started to include all people called "All Lives Matter." All of these movements happened because a group was offended. Their feelings were hurt, so they started another movement that focused on their point of view. Once again, while everyone was being offended and having their feelings hurt, some innocent people and officers were killed and no significant changes have been made to try to improve the issue. Even today, we are still offended that all these movements exist in one way or another.

I am worried about our generation. We get offended too easily and get our feelings hurt way too often. And if we are getting too offended and hurt now, what are we going to do when we get out into the real world, which is much crueler than home and school life? We need to toughen up and start finding answers to our problems rather than getting upset that someone doesn't think the way we do. Yes, I know there are things that we are all passionate about that we want to speak up for. I also understand that people shouldn't be rude and offend others. But guess what, people: not everyone is going to be nice and respectful to you. It's a tough world out there, and we need to keep our heads on straight and not get so emotional that we become distracted from the real issues at hand.

So Millennials: get some thick skin and grow up. Quit crying because someone hurt your feelings or said something that you personally found offensive. Stand up for yourself and express your freedom of speech, but don't become offended just because others don't see things your way. Have meaningful discussions and critiques; stop bashing each other based on beliefs, values, and virtues. Let's stop arguing over trivial matters and get back to solving problems so our country can get back on its feet and rise to the top again.