Our Future, and the Choice We Face to Do Something About It

Senior Editor

Max Milevsky

With the state of the world today seeming as chaotic and convoluted as ever, it is no wonder that many of us are experiencing some anxiety and apprehension. For myself and countless others, these past couple of months and especially these past couple of days have had their fair share of nail-biting moments. In our country today, dealing with one piece of bad news after another in rapid succession is overwhelming and disheartening to say the least.

Wait… what is happening?

Starting this month, the new presidential administration is quickly implementing an agenda of changes and attacks on civil liberties and America’s democratic tradition, the likes of which have never been seen in modern American history. In the minds of many I have spoken to is the feeling that we as a country are slipping backward, and it is a very slippery slope indeed. In his first 7 days in office alone, Donald J. Trump has signed executive order after executive order coming after immigrants, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community, especially Transgender and non-binary individuals. With the swipe of his pen, the man has moved to end DEI programs and birthright citizenship and also pull America out of the World Health Organization and crucial climate agreements. 

Furthermore, his decisions have resulted in the disruption of activities, funding, and hiring for important institutions like the National Institute for Health, whose research and findings save lives. His administration has also engaged in the suppression of government resources and sites dedicated to climate change, reproductive healthcare, and even the constitution itself. While all these sites were taken down, the main website, whitehouse.gov, still stands, only it now proudly displays “glorifying” shots of the president and the slogan “AMERICA IS BACK”.

One would think these actions ridiculously laughable; however, it is eerily clear that their ramifications will be incredibly destructive and retrogressive. Moreover, it must be said that this is an unprecedented start to a presidency. The beginning of his first term now appears relatively tame in comparison. Back then, at least, there were more moderate cabinet members who acted as a taming force. In contrast, as you view his cabinet nominations today, you see that incompetence is the only qualification necessary. 

As there are very few individuals remaining to check the president’s power in his second term, these decisions are even more threatening to the freedoms and safety of all Americans. 

Any hope of a brighter future for all American citizens is indubitably at risk.

Desensitization and the Ease to Not Care

In many ways, I suspect that such a blitzkrieg of very bad and upsetting decisions is purposeful. It’s not difficult to see that the goal of such a program is to so thoroughly desensitize those who would oppose such actions that they are caught like deer in headlights, unable to react — or like a turtle flipped on its back, unable to regain its footing. To this point, many right-wing planners want to induce panic and play on our willingness to shut down and tune out. But this is the very thing we cannot do. 

As it stands, it looks so easy to let ourselves mentally go into exile – to relegate any talk of politics to the back of our minds. For many, it’s a way to cope. In today’s world, so much as catching a glimpse of the news is enough to send one into shock. But it can’t be this way.

For our very sanity, we have to find methods and channels from which to stay informed. Rather than unhealthily watching every mainstream media pundit get a word in on the same issue time and time again (while ignoring many others), we can endeavor on our own mission to find the objective facts. During a time when more and more news conglomerates and talking-heads are bending the knee and attempting to curry favor with Mr. Trump, we can be the ones to seek out smaller news companies who tell it like it is or even primary sources like C-SPAN, which allows one to observe and decide for themself. Most importantly, as students of West Campus and America’s youth, we must be the ones to take action in our city, our state, and our country.

Why does it have to be us, and why now?

I often feel that students can see things that most adults can’t, things that the adults are so conditioned not to see. Most of us are born with an innate sense of humanity, compassion and awareness: however, in life and over time, we are taught to disregard these values in order to “survive” in this big, turbulent world. Many of us still possess these unaltered ideals, and for that very reason, it is all the more important that we act on them or at least voice our concerns.

Far too frequently now, and increasingly as we age, we think of things solely on an individual basis. In making decisions or in processing the ones made by politicians, we think of how such-and-such will affect us individually and in terms of whether it’s good or bad for our own interests. Too often, we look the other way when policies hurt others, just so long as we ourselves remain unaffected. We as a society have truly become used to viewing the plight of others as solely “their problem,” not ours. And although our heart may tell us this sentiment is wrong, we nonetheless hold our tongues. 

Sometimes I ask myself, why did I have to be born into a time like this? Why did I have to inherit a world as broken as this one, and deal with the problems created and unsolved by generations prior? You can probably relate. No doubt, these are big questions and they bring up some sobering thoughts. Perhaps no generation has had to deal with such a situation as ours. And we seem to be running out of time. Earth, itself, seems to be running out of patience for human shenanigans. 

For these reasons, we have to tap into our thoughts of humanitarianism, egalitarianism, and environmentalism and hit the ground running. If we don’t do something to solve these threats, by the time the next  generation is of age to take up the torch, it may very well be too late for improvement and revitalization.

If we hibernate and let things happen to us now, later, when we wake up, we may certainly be in a worse position to defend ourselves and our communities. Plain and simple, it is the time to roll up our sleeves and do something – anything.

What you can do, and can you do it?

Now, some view students as relatively powerless. As mere students and young adults ourselves, we may seriously doubt the weight any actions on our part may hold. But while we may be handicapped by our positions at this moment, there is nothing to stop us from building a foundation for future action – a sort of spring-board from which to launch come adulthood. To this end, there are a few things we can do now.

1. Join or create a club or organization dedicated to a certain problem that resonates with you. This can be small at first, but you can involve friends, make new ones, and reach even more on social media.
2. Post, share, or repost important messages you come across on the internet. This can be a really simple, quick way to spread the word on crucial issues and raise awareness. 
3. Follow accounts dedicated to movements or topics like social justice, especially local ones. This can be a good way to keep informed and present in your community.
4. Write to your local or national politicians. Whether it be to Sacramento’s Mayor McCarty, Representatives Bera/Matsui, Senator Padilla, Schiff or anyone else, write something to them and voice your problems. In this way, you put pressure on those in power, whether they respond or not.
5. Read. Read. Read. Not everybody likes reading (I get it), but I guarantee you there is a book out there for everyone. The best ones to seek cover very pressing issues. Reading about many of the problems we face is not only a way to educate yourself, as it can also very well be an eye-opening and invigorating experience. The most important first step towards solving our problems is by having a solid understanding of them. Don’t take a side because someone tells you to, take a side because you are educated and understand it to be right. So, I urge you to take a walk to your local library, get a free library card, and check something out today.
6. Volunteer, intern, or even apply for youth leadership positions within Sacramento City Government or other local organizations. The cityofsacramento.gov website has more details if you are interested. REMEMBER: it’s not about having another thing to put on your college applications, it’s about being a force for change and a voice for yourself and others your age.

This is by no means every option out there. There are chances to be active in many different ways, on many different fronts, and with many different requirements of time, effort, and complexity. Hopefully this list inspires you to do your own research as well.

A plea to hope and a call to action

If you haven’t yet figured it out, we are at a crossroads. We can either continue on a path to losing a sense of what is just, or we can double down on our instincts and have some more foresight and poise in our understanding of our fellow humans and the community we live in. Often branded as a “radical” idea by those who benefit most from our complacency and selfishness, it actually isn’t so “radical” or “woke” as this idea’s detractors claim it is. Similarly, we have a decision to make about how we are going to let the events of today progress into tomorrow. Shall we shrink from our duties of which decency begs of us, or shall we step up in our localities, stand up for those in our community — for what is right — and take conscious action big and small?

If we wake up and become more acquainted with the growing groups and movements already active in our society, and through books gain a sense of movements of the past, we will find that we truly have more strength and ability together than apart. The existence of groups such as Black Lives Matter or others like it proves that there is more to be done than sit in fear while progress is halted and undone. These movements and the options to take initiative which I have listed today are all steps towards grassroots and collective action. Take them or leave them. You and I – all of us – have the choice to take a chance on the possibility of improvement, or leave the world as it is, as it gets worse and worse by the day. Tick-Tock.