Ever since the time I could really understand what a presidential debate is, there has always been this social stigma that everyone must keep quiet on who they affiliate with unless it is favored by the media and everyone backs it. Now, more than ever discussing specific topics both candidates have raised such as education and healthcare has caused people to create a social divide and turn against other people because of certain views. To me, this has to stop.

We as young smart, intelligent, and optimistic Americans' need to stop relying upon ridiculous Twitter memes, Tweets, or Facebook trends to get all of our information. We need to read the actual news. By that I mean reading The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, or researching a given topic. Educating yourself about the world and conversing with different people from various ethnic backgrounds and ages is the only way for the future of the United States to strengthen itself economically, socially, and politically as a culture.

Me, you (the person reading this), and every other United States citizen have the power to change the world. Holding your tongue is good in some instances. However, if you don’t challenge specific issues then nothing nor no one for that matter can get a different perspective on how to go about transforming our country.

Moreover, don’t be afraid to share your ideas and voice your opinions. Instead of beating people down on whom they affiliate with politically and what their views are on for instance foreign policy, praise them for their engagement in politics, listen to what they have to say so you can learn more about why they affiliate with that particular party. That is the only way we can create diversity while simultaneously strengthening our country as a whole.