We’re all feeling the hangover of election season and the sudden realization that things are about to drastically change. With our current commander-in-chief becoming more brazen about his plans for the country, others have become more vocal as well. We’ve seen an influx of hate crimes, bended knees, pink hats and signs with clever slogans across the nation. Whether you believe it’s fake news, alternative facts or existential dread becoming a reality, one thing remains clear: If America is to survive its current state of affairs, we have to do more than slap a bandage over old, festering wounds. In order to come together we have to come to understand each other. We need to understand why people are scared and hurting and fix it.
While I may not have all the answers, I’ve had my share of awkward and sometimes awful discussions on differences regarding race, religion, orientation and the like. Some of those conversations have been so uncomfortable that they have triggered stressed-induced panic attacks that have taken days to fully recover from. On the other hand, many of them have changed mine and others’ perceptions about the way we live and navigate this world. We may not fully agree with each other, but we understand each other and the void between us becomes a little smaller.
I’m only saying this because we are all in a precarious situation. We absolutely need each other to survive and right now, people our age are the best ones to do it. We have the will, need and capability of solving the world’s problems. Don’t let the foolery of the current times force you to believe all is lost. It is not. Have conversations, challenge your perspective and keep your intellectual borders open. I have faith in you.