As a society, we have restricted ourselves; we have let our collective voices as citizens tremble and our stance fade. From this, we have let go of one of the most precious tools in our nation: our powerful, determined youth.
   Throughout history, it has been students who change the outcome of our world. Only the young have the dreams to change the world in the way they desire.
   The youth of today are blinded by the intimidating fear of consequences from going “too far” and asking for “too much” from our world. The adults of our nation have raised us to be lazy about the suffering of others through faith in our courts. But our courts are too slow and our lives too short to fold over and not make a stand to the 21st century world, one where people have more power than ever, but it seems that only the bad are using it.
   My concern is that the most precious social freedoms and justices in our nation are being ignored for certain human beings, American or not. And it has always been the youth, the students who have the biggest impact on positive change in America.
   It is our new age of thinking that makes us the cornerstone to changing life for the better for all. It is our ability to read between the lines of our fathers and mothers to influence and defend America from itself.
   We have the potential, we just need the passion. We have let our elders distract us with materialism and the laid back comfort of our lives from our passion. The very passion that could lead our nation and world to greater destinies. All I ask is for students to begin looking at the broader world and start asking, “Why?” Be like the many students during the Civil Rights Movement or the Anti-war movement who put themselves out there, expressing their voice - their American power as citizens - to stand up for what they believe and make change in what they don’t believe in.
   Be the action of your dream, step out of the house. It can be as simple as joining a club at school that offers room for you to express your opinion or make effective change in your community. Or it can be standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves by correcting those who speak incorrectly or behave with no regard to the feelings of others. It is our duty to begin a progressive America once again.
   If you start your campaign for change in America and the world now - when you’re young - your efforts will be more prominent, your change more possible and the world more agreeable for when you get older. It’s not hard, every little bit helps.