Whenever the New Year arrives, people set goals and make changes in order to improve themselves or those around them. Since 2017 was not our countries best year, I think it’s time America set goals for 2018 that will enact some much needed change. Not only has this past year been consumed by violence and segregation, but natural disasters have run rampant through the world, equal rights is a fairytale claim, and our president’s only concern is what the “fake news” has said about him. I’m so saddened by the fact that the world I was taught to admire has turned into one that I fear being a part of, but I refuse to gratify that fear by not trying to make a change in this New Year. I will protest, I will fight, and I will come out victorious.
It can be so easy to retreat in fear and be a bystander during times of chaos, but it is those who stand up to that fear that will create the difference the world needs. I have always seen myself as an activist because there has always been something that I was not satisfied with. When I was 12, I joined PETA and began my own petition to stop animal testing. In high school when we learned about the wage gap and inequality for women, I began basing my research papers off of employment studies and I stood up for my fellow girls at any chance I had. Now, as a college student, I have bore witness to so many injustices that it would be against my moral compass to not stand up and join the fight. For too long I thought my activism was in vain- how could ONE person make a difference? I soon realized that when others bear witness to your efforts they will more than likely adopt the same practices. One persons voice can inspire thousands who may be afraid to use their own so it is awfully important that we remove fear, and protest with our full ability.
It is no secret that 2017 was filled with activism so what difference will it make this year? Well, activism can be defined by multiple things and it’s up to you to do it in the most effective and respectful way. Last year, during one of the most controversial protest in America, a young women was hit on purpose and killed by a counter protester while he was driving his car. When protests become violent they completely go against the reason for them in the first place. In order to create peace, you need to be an example for it. 2017 was a year full of violence, inequality and injustice. I hope that in 2018 more people stand up for what they believe in and make their voice heard. Violent attacks and mass shootings will continue to happen unless we fight, minorities will be oppressed even further until we stand up for them, and change will not happen until we demand it.