Many Americans have mixed emotions about the election. You either do not understand most of America's choice, or you don't care to express your opinion and accept our current situation. A new reality has hit this nation, and now college students across California are making themselves heard. I know that I,personally, was very emotional and I had to wait a week or so to process the election and what it means for me. After some thought, I have some ideas that may help you consider the options we have before us.
People have been circulating articles encouraging the electoral college to elect Hillary Clinton as president rather than Donald Trump. That date is still a couple weeks off, but what if they don't elect Clinton as the 45th President? Consider this: our generation is rising from the depths of society, and we are witnessing primarily what the older generations have decided to call our attention to. Millennials have been called ignorant, rude, insulting, and uneducated because we have a different perspective and a new way of looking at the future of our country. However, there comes a time in history when perspectives change and it is comes time to love the old and live the new. The young people in this country are trying to be heard, which should tell our delegates something about how we feel about the state of our nation. In case you didn't know, if millennials votes alone had been counted, Clinton would have won the election 504-23, but only about 12 percent of eligible millennials voted this election, compared to a higher turnout in 2012.
While the turnout was smaller, I think this could also mean that our generation spoke by not voting because they want to move our nation forward. Our education is also of big importance to consider. Do not let this election instill negativity or cause you to lose hope because there will always be tomorrow to make a difference. We will continue to fight for free community college and lower debt in our universities, so do not let this be your last stand. Bernie Sanders appealed to the masses and believed that we needed a progressive change. Remember the fire that he set inside us all. Recognize that Clinton still appealed to a majority of the nation, which should tell us that people believe in her and the values she fights for.
Whether or not the electoral college votes in favor of Clinton or Trump, we live for a brighter tomorrow. Fight for family values, civil rights, equality, and progress. As a Californian, I can say that I am happy to live in a state that continues to be a leading region in legislative reform, helping to provide a better society for us all to live in. There will always be evil, hate, and horrors in our world, so the best we can do is fight it, to show that we want change to mark the leading nation in the world. Use your education and use the power of knowledge to impact the future, and take your place within our economy and your community. Live for a better tomorrow, millennials, and rise from the depths because this is our first challenge as the future leaders of America.