There are 31.5 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are currently citizens of The United States of America. Thirty one point five million people who just graduated high school, who are finishing up another year in college or who are starting their first real job in this land of so many opportunities. Our generation encompasses some of the most brilliant minds this world has to offer and we have the means to better this planet for those in years to come. We are courageous, inventive, resourceful and sympathetic, but we are easily controlled and far to often manipulated by popular culture.
We grew up in a time where technology was ever-changing, social media became more widespread and where reality television affected the way we learned and the way we processed information. Various shows were in arms reach at such a young age and it made us believe life was easy and the people we need to look up to are the ones who make a negative scene on a national platform. Our role models included rappers and reality stars instead of those striving to better the world and unfortunately, this way of thinking followed many of us into adulthood. The only difference from our childhood and now is that we are now legal to vote.
For many, this is the first time you are able to participate in an election and it's for the President of the United States, the most powerful office in the world. At the hands of this man or woman, history will be made, policy enforced and the future of our economy and our livelihood will burden this future leader for as long as they hold office. We are given the responsibility of supporting a man or woman who we think will have our best interest at heart yet we fall back on the habit of choosing role models who are entertaining and interesting, rather than intelligent and trustworthy.
Months ago, we assumed that Donald Trump was just a bug we were waiting on to fly away, but as weeks pass, we begin to realize that he has actually infected the country quicker than we ever thought possible. How could someone who is the brunt of every joke be leading the polls continuously each week? What goes through someone’s mind when they think that spreading words of hate is the best way to get things done? How could someone vote for a man who brings more negative controversy than almost any other presidential candidate?
As I think about these questions I start to realize that the root of this problem is our generation. We have this mentality of wanting to vote for Donald Trump because "he’s funny," because he "tells it like it is" or because "we know he’ll get stuff done." We give all our attention to the attention seekers yet have none left for the ones who aren’t on the road to power and fame. We vote too quickly without looking at the facts and give into empty promises laid out by a man with a temper and a big mouth.
I leave you with a piece of advice: vote wisely and vote based on the truth, not on what someone else’s version of the truth is. This is your future, your life and it is what you make of it. Research into your candidate but also research into others. Keep an open mind and look for a leader who is moving forward for you and your country’s needs and not just their own. Ask yourself "can he/she actually make a difference or am I hanging on to false hope?"
We are the generation that can change the world but it’s up to you to choose who helps you do it.
