Our world is changing faster than we have ever seen before. New inventions, technologies and methods being explored and created with every breath we take. Intellectually, the human race has never been stronger. But our morals are taking steps backward.
As of 2016, 3 billion people use the internet, and that amount is growing every second. We focus our lives around social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We walk around thinking “what pictures can I take for Facebook” or ask our friends “is this Insta worthy?” We constantly look through the posts of others. It is all that seems important to our society these days, and it is what the younger generations are learning to rely on.
A large trend these days on Facebook is advocating for one of the 5 million movements it seems that are taking place whether it be the presidential campaign, black lives matter or the “new and improved” form of feminism. There are videos of people who speak their mind on these situations and many more. They offer solutions and standpoints to counteract each other, but once we are no longer behind our screens we sit back in fear of what the results may be.
We watch videos of citizens willingly, voluntarily and happily stepping on and burning our American flag. We argue with each other who is right in the situation, some argue that stepping on and disrespecting our flag is acceptable, while others recognize that our flag should be our pride and joy as it is one of the few things left that represent our freedom. With today’s technology, children have access to social media more than ever. Therefore, exposing them to all of the above. They can watch the videos of people disrespecting our country. They can take part in the many controversies that take part online.
This November, our country is nearing its part in the cataclysmic presidential race that can only end in two very controversial ways. Each candidate comes with their own set of baggage that they will bring with them to the White House and leaving them as a burden on the rest of the country. Between Hillary’s 30,000 emails and Trump’s opinion of women, neither candidate seems ideal. With our country completely separated, and neither candidate’s supporters backing down, many American’s are afraid of the outcome.
America is continuously encountering new pressing issues each and every week. It seems as though the world is crumbling at our feet, and yet, we remain completely unaware of the true dangers we are facing. We hide behind our phones and computer screens, tweeting our fears into bravery. But once we step out from behind out screens and face our realities, that bravery quickly fades back to fear. And soon all we will be left with will be the remains of what was once the greatest country known to man.