As members of the young generation of America, it is our duty to take action towards the goals we want to achieve in the future. Whether you are very involved in politics or don’t know a thing about what is going on in Washington, you need to be aware that what we do today will affect our future.

Regardless of whether you support the new president or can’t stand him, are liberal or conservative, are pro-life or pro-choice, support immigration or don’t, we must respect one another. Last time I checked, we live in the United States of America, a place where we have the right to have and voice our own opinions. Our ancestors made this possible, therefore, we must use this right well.

As an American, you have every right to believe what you do. We select our views from how we are raised, our environment, and a variety of other factors. Whatever you choose to believe is fine because that is what this nation is based on: the ability to have your own views and fight for what you believe in. Yet, for some reason we have started to attack each other as people rather than fighting for our views. If you believe something, go out and speak your mind and try to explain to others why you believe what you do. It is okay to disagree with other's views. Instead, we seem to be consistently attacking people, calling them names, and insulting their character for their beliefs. However, this tactic is simply unproductive as this will only make others angrier. If we are trying to convince others that our ideas are correct, insulting them and calling them stupid will not change their views, but simply make them hate you and your ideas more. Just as you have every right to believe what you do, so do your peers.

I can only hope that we can grow to respect each other regardless of what we believe, that we will fight peacefully for our future goals, and that we will not attack other's character for believing what they do. Now, you may not agree with what was just said and that is okay. We have the right to disagree. After all, we live in a nation on which diversity of opinion is based.