Heated political and social debates are nearly an everyday occurrence in my life. Being open to new ideas and listening to well-reasoned arguments are central to an education; however, there has recently been way too much talk and not enough action.
We see politicians debating, talking, planning and assuaging our fears regarding their policies and plans—but we rarely see them carry out any of their grand promises. Instead, political leaders are training young Americans in a new style of leadership: inaction.
The majority of the people I have witnessed or with whom I have engaged in debates have never actually done anything to promote their ideas or to bring about change.
What is the point of debating if we aren’t acting?
Most college students belong to the millennial generation, which includes those born between the early 1980s and into the early 2000s. The millennial generation outnumbers the baby boomers and the generations before us that were responsible for radical social reform.
If the millennials band together and act—if we stop with the standing around and debating—we could bring about political and social reform.
I believe everyone has similar goals, regardless of the methods they believe are the best. We should concentrate on the ideas we have in common instead of the convictions that will segregate us.
Additionally, it seems as though too many people who constantly engage in turbulent political debates are doing so to prove to their peers that they are intelligent and deep thinkers.
There are other ways to assert your intelligence than pissing people off. Yes, I get mad when I hear people arguing that everything I fervently believe in is wrong. That’s a natural reaction, and quarreling among ourselves isn’t doing anything but dividing us.
Everyone should be able to share his or her opinion. I just think bickering about social and political issues rather than trying to change them is misled.
Get out there: Campaign, vote or just simply live your life with conviction.
If you are pro-women’s rights, perpetuate that, and be a strong woman. Rally, campaign and avoid perpetuating stereotypes.
If you avidly want your rights to keep your guns, then use guns safely, talk to lawmakers or start a grassroots movement that addresses the issues of gun violence yet maintains the right to bear arms.
If you don’t like our president, then protest the things he is doing. Don’t vote for people with similar platforms, but campaign for someone you believe in for the upcoming elections.
So much more can be done through action than by sitting in a dorm room or apartment debating.
Having an opinion is great, but what are you going to do with that opinion?
We see examples of people taking initiative here at NC State: Students protesting the sale of the Hofmann Forest are getting a lot of attention lately. This shows that change is possible, no matter how meager its beginnings.
I don’t like the idea of being passionate about talking about politics. Talking among peers and getting mad at each other accomplishes little. Become passionate about change.