Opinions – The Howler

Adventures with Cam: Ride em’ CamBoy: Ride or Die Chili Style

April 24, 2017

By Cameron Purcell, Columnist

It was a lovely, sunny day.

Though it was not the sun that made this day so lovely.

No, there was something far greater than the sun.

Today was the day that at Lone Star College-Kingwood there was a chili cook-off.

I had enlisted a fellow member of the newspaper to help me document this beautiful event, Emory. I could sense the chili the night before the cook-off, it’s delicious smells transcending the boundaries of time and alerting me to their inevitability.Upon our arrival, I was confronted by my greatest enemy: Paying for things. It turned out we had to pay money to sample the chili of the master chefs, and I felt bullets slice through my wallet and pierce my thigh.However, my love for chili overpowered my reluctance to pay for the event, and so I bought tickets for both Emory and me.

Love makes us do stupid things sometimes, but the wonderful feeling itself is well worth what you must put into it. I consider myself a romantic-For chili.

Every chili had its own unique taste and composition. One chili was even made without meat, and it tasted good! Unfortunately, the time came at the end for us to cast our vote on which chili we liked the best.

I was so immersed in the realm of chili, I had forgotten to remember which I liked the best! I looked back at the contestants, some of whom eyed me eagerly. I could see hope in all of their eyes. Yet, I still could not remember which chili I liked the best! All I knew is it was one of the more recent chilis I ate.

In the end, I chose the chili somewhat close by, based entirely on the fact that the girl who made the chili was gussied up in a nice cowgirl outfit. A petty way to choose chili, but I could not retaste the selection.

My guilt was eradicated and replaced by joy, however when one of the staff informed me of the mechanical bull inside of the PAC building.

Emory and I knew what I had to do.

I had Emory walk behind me and record a video, instructing her to make sure the shot was very dramatic, something one would see in the movies.

You see, I am a master of mechanical bull riding. I have developed a technique that has kept me on some of the meanest mechanical bulls for a solid minute at the least. I leaped onto the bull with the grace of an eagle and readied myself to show this machine who was the boss.

My plans were thwarted, however, when I was informed I would not be allowed to grab the bull’s head upon my attempt to do so. This was a key element to my technique, and I had realized it was all over before it even began.

Still, I would not be deterred. I am a man of my word, and I said I would ride this bull.

“He may not be the hero we need ,but he’s the hero we deserve,” Aguilar says. Graphic design by Emory Aguilar. Click on the picture to watch a video by Emory Aguilar.

And so, the bull started. There’s something magical about bull riding. Time seems to slow down, and one second feels like five or ten. What doesn’t last is the split second it takes you to fall off but the memory of it goes on for eons.

I hadn’t even lasted half a minute on the bull, and I ended up tearing off one of its horns by accident as I fell off. Thankfully, I could just stick it back in place.

My heart was not so easily fixed.

I had betrayed the chili gods, and I had left a stain on my mechanical bull riding legacy. It hurt, but these are sacrifices we must make in life. Whether a sacrifice is made for one’s morality, a newspaper, or both, it is a core foundation of life and all of the human society: Sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice comes in the form of failure, but like riding a bull, you need to pick yourself up and make up a hundred excuses as to why it’s not your fault.

Judging from the Cheap Seats: Book Festival

April 24, 2017

By Cara Young, Columnist

This past Saturday, Lone Star College- Kingwood hosted an event called the Bayou City Book Festival. The festivities started on April 3 and ran through April 8 allowing an event to take place at each LSC campus, which lead up to the big finish right here at Kingwood.

As an enthusiast for the written word, I, of course, attended from start to finish with the company of my beautiful boys and a few like minded friends. The event made a spectacular first impression as the diversity among activities and tables caught not only the attention of the eyes and ears, but the nose as well. There were twenty plus authors’ tables set on the grass and along the sidewalk in between the Performing Arts Center and Student Conference Center buildings, several rooms reserved inside the building, promotional vans decorating the quad, live music pouring from the stage in front of the Health and Science building, and food trucks set up in the SCC parking lot. Aside from the lectures and book signing opportunities, activities such as live children’s book readings, 3D printing, face painting, a panel featuring Jon Land and Heather Graham, even a poetry contest and drum beating tent popped up through the day.

The first activity our group partook in was what we came to call “The Puppy Room”. It was a room set aside to pet or play with trained therapy dogs and/or read children’s books. My boys reveled in the attention and the love these furry beasts gave them, despite being about two and a half feet tall. They, along with one of my adult party goers, listened to a fittingly canine-themed book.

On the way out we decided on the lectures we would attend at what times, we unfortunately could not attend all of them, but found great deals of entertainment in the slots we did choose . Our first lecture was Comic-al Biographies by Peter Bagge and Joe Ollmann. The lecture was educational while interesting. While I am not an artist I can relate to the interest and controlled amounts of passion these men spoke with about their books. Even with the interruptions of my whiny toddlers, they carried through their presentations quite nicely and maintained a presence that was kind, patient, and professionally charming.

Bayou City Book Festival at LSC-Kingwood on April 7 2017. Photo by Keyla Lerma.

After visiting each and every table, I can tell you the age range on these books varied in all ages from young ones who love being read to, to children just developing an interest in reading, to those who are already well versed in the joy reading can bring to a person. It was beautiful watching these intertwine and develop as time went on. The atmosphere was warm, ease putting, and emanated from a sense of what I can only describe as belonging. (Yes, I did buy a couple books for my kids and myself as we strolled through, which the authors were happy to sign for us!)

After a lunch break at one of the food trucks out front, which were worth the money, came the face painting! And while my babies can make anything look cute it was a fun addition to the day. By this time, we were ready to take advantage of the picnic area where the kids could stretch their legs and play outside their stroller and enjoy the grassy ground. We did attend the live book reading of It’s Too Windy and The ABCs to Ranching by Patty York Raymond, which included music and dancing for the kids listening. The reading was energetic and entertaining as was the dancing and singing.

In the end, a good time was had by all! I almost didn’t want to leave as everyone began to pack it in, but a good deal of exhaustion had started to take over and a nap was calling my name.

Bayou City Book Festival leaflet at LSC-Kingwood on April 7 2017. Photo by Michelle Lecumberry.

Adventures With Cam : Drunk Driving Without A License

April 4, 2017

By Cameron Purcell, Columnist

It was a bright, lovely day and I was free to flee to the comforts of my home. After calling for a ride from the PAC building, I began to head towards the SCC and await my departure. Though on the way, I happened upon the setting of tables and golf carts. My curiosity took hold of me and I was compelled to find out what was going on here.

As it turned out, Lone Star College -Kingwood was setting up a drunk driving simulator, with free drinks to those that completed the simulation! The drinks were water of course, not alcohol.

I was the first to arrive. Therefore, I was the first to be given the opportunity to participate in the activity, and I would finally fulfill my dream of driving a campus golf cart! Albeit, I would be wearing goggles to simulate drunkenness, but golf cart driving nonetheless.

I entered a golf cart alongside one of the campus officers, who handed me a pair of drunk goggles. I was very confident in my driving abilities. At worst, I thought these goggles would make things blurry and dark, and that I’d be able to easily drive around the traffic cones they had set up. I thought I was the undisputed Greek God of automobiles.

Much to my surprise, however, these goggles were the trippiest thing on the planet. My vision was severely distorted. I saw bazillion things around me overlapping with one another with an orange haze. It was like the universe unraveled itself before me then threw acid on my eyeballs.

Despite this turn of events, I was determined to drive through the traffic cones like the unlicensed driving master I believed myself to be. While I managed to not hit any cones, I swerved about haphazardly in my concentration merely making it through the path they had set before me, and so I was “pulled over” by an officer.

To truly test how ‘drunk’ I was, I was made to walk in a straight line with the goggles on. This proved to be my undoing. The line I was meant to follow was in front of me, but it also appeared to be to my left, right, up, down, everywhere! At least with driving, I did not need to balance myself. But here? I nearly fell over twice!

Consequently, I had failed the task, proving that even the greatest of us can succumb to the mighty influence of alcohol upon consumption. When I went to get my free bottle of water, I was asked, “So what were the goggles like?”

I smiled and said, “I don’t remember. I was drunk.”

Illustration done by Emory Aguilar.

Judging from the Cheap Seats: “What’s in a Name?”

April 4, 2017

By Cara Young , Columnist

A quote and a question I pose to you all. What is in a name? Is it simply a title? An identifier? An emotional connection? A summary of actions? Names are powerful things giving worth to their wearers, pride to their possessor, and inspiration to their inheritors. On one of our nation’s more visited monument sites are etched the names of fallen soldiers. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is a polished granite tomb, honoring the bravery these men and women showcased for their country. While maintaining the true essence of what the war was to our soldiers, our nation, and our hearts a scar that nearly bled us dry.

Maya Lin is a celebrated earth artist, sculptor, and architect whose name carries a great deal of weight in the art community. She attended Yale and Harvard earning a master’s degree in architecture and designed not only the Vietnam Veterans Memorial but the Civil Rights Monument and the Women’s Table at Yale University. Her minimalist vision caused some controversy in her youth, but soon became accepted and enjoyed by the public.

At 21 she won the design submission contest for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial even though almost every element of the monument caused debate. The use of dark reflective rock, the descending manner of the piece, and the number of patriotic symbols coming up short were large points of concern for the veterans, mourners, and civilians awaiting the monument’s opening. Even as her work was thrown into a national debate, her design dubbed the “black gash of shame”, funding for the project pulled out from under her, and her name ran through the mud, Lin stood her ground. Accepting a standard sized American flag and three realistic soldier statues placed near the monument were minor concessions to appease the public while retaining the emotional momentum the site was meant to create. It was not built to honor the action of rebellion or the aiding of an ally, but rather it was meant to be a reminder of the pain we faced in the midst of violent misfortune. On opening day November 11, 1982, Veterans Day, it soon became evident how successful Lin’s design was in capturing and conveying this message to the people visiting.

Her next monument, the Civil Rights Memorial, didn’t stir up nearly as much political attention. It kept some signature elements like polished granite, flowing water, and inscribed words on a much smaller scale. The piece is a rounded fountain that lays out major points of the civil rights movement in a clockwise fashion, featuring key points, names of well-known voices and deaths, and laws passed toward or in acknowledgment of the movement. Finally, Lin’s Women’s Table that still used water and carved stone was meant to recognize the women who attended Yale University. Carved numbers begin at the center and spiral out. The first several are zeroes showing the lack of female students in the school’s early years, but soon gains digits. However, these zeroes only represent the number of registered female students. There were some women known as “silent listeners” often professor’s wives, sisters, daughters, or in some cases even custodial workers, who “attended” lectures.

Top 7 Ways to Get to Finals Week

April 4, 2017

By Kirsten Fuller, Managing Editor

We are now riding the struggle bus for the next seven weeks to finals and we are all sporting “the struggle is real” written on our foreheads. No worries, I am about to give you the Top 7 Ways to Get to Finals Week!

Draw yourself a map– We all have the delightful syllabi all our professors have given us. The next part will be hard to swallow, but let’s use them to figure out how the heck we are going to organize our time. Not to mention, our schedules to not drowned in the six page research papers, and the staple name “final project” of the Spring Semester.
Find a Seat– I will quote one of the great’s by saying that “Go to class. Do the Work. Get the Grade” is true. It starts with going to class even though we just realized that 8 am classes were not such a great idea.
Treat Yo self– Once you accomplish that paper, or an assignment, or even studying a chapter. Don’t forget you’re awesome, so let’s face it ; you need a reward but ONLY if you finish a task… reading a sentence does not equal a 5 hour Netflix binge reward.
Big Picture-. Some days are like “Don’t talk to me. I haven’t had coffee”. Nonetheless let’s remember we are all about crossing the finish line. For some, it is graduation, others it is summer break, or it’s a two week hiatus before summer and minimester starts. You will make it, don’t give up halfway through the race.
Apps are Friends not Food– there is a Self Control App that you can download on your Mac (possibly PC) and you can blacklist your weaknesses for the all well-known procrastination monster. There is a timer and you can’t access these websites until your timer runs out for allowing you to focus on your work. #amazeballs (I know!!)
Healthy Body and Mind– You would be surprised that what you eat and do in your spare time affects your energy levels. So, before you reach for those hot fries, think about how late you need to stay up to write 700 words.
Mrs. Teacher– Now would be the time to use office hours, conference hours and extra credit points that you can get. Hopefully you know your professor’s name, that way when you ask to meet with them to edit an essay or look over their study guide you have cool points.

I hope these Top 7 ways find you well, or at least breathing. Don’t worry guys, we are all in this together #HSM4life. If that doesn’t motivate you; remember that if you fail, you will have to take that class again. Let’s get real, if you didn’t like it the first time, then why take it a second time?

Illustration done by Keyla Lerma.

Judging from the Cheap Seats: “Red Queen”

February 27, 2017

By Cara Young , Columnist

Good books make us love them by allowing us to see a new world, take on new vocabulary, and, in some cases, new insults. Great books make us hate them for not allowing us to enter them. Victoria Aveyard has provided us with one such book. Even being geared toward young adult audiences, it is an exceptional read for adult readers as well. For example, Aveyard gives the reader some excellently detailed gladiator fight scenes and torture sequences that highlight the barbaric and violent world these characters suffer in while seamlessly bringing out the contrasting beauty and wonder of this world’s architecture and natural landscape.

Between the powerful character archetypes and delicious subplot, audience members will not be left to wonder why this book won the Goodreads Choice Award the year it was published, 2015. Goodreads is a popular social media outlet for readers.

“Red Queen” does share characteristics common of the fantasy genre, but should not be overlooked because of this fact. Aveyard has taken this Disney-esque plot line and thrown in a dystopian twist to create a world in desperate need of a peaceful leader, but where every prince is born to burn the world to gratify their own personal whims.

Now when I say burn, I mean to literally heat it to ash. These titans can manipulate elements from fire and water to magnetic fields and the minds of others. These off-brand X-Men take on the label of Silvers, after the color of their blood, and claim sovereignty over the surf class of humans who are designated as Reds. The Silvers rule over their kingdoms with cruelty, greed, and no remorse for the pits of Red bodies used to block bullets. Our main character is a poverty-stricken, jobless, 17 year-old, soon-to-be princess named Mare Barrow. As a Red in Mare’s world, birthdays feel more like a ticking clock. If an 18 year-old Red is found without a job, he or she is conscripted to the front lines of the battlefield to take punishment in the form of iron and gunpowder. The price for Mare’s freedom is a small fortune, and this spunky, sarcastic, somewhat shady young lady sets out to steal her life back from the pocketbooks of those who had taken it away in the beginning.

After a spectacular failure and a nationally televised slap to the face, Mare is tossed into a situation far more deadly than the front lines. I speak, of course, of the royal court standing face to most often shoulder with her very own super villains. She’s no longer unarmed, though, after an electrically cruel incident teaches Mare that her blood may be ordinary, but she certainly isn’t. Can this inexperienced sheep in wolves clothing survive in a new level of fiery power, bloody rebellion, unrequited love, and elaborate betrayal?

“Red Queen” is a wonderful read that takes the reader on a ride with unexpected loops and lobs that will have you reaching in between the text for more. I, for one, will not be missing the next installment.

“Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard is a must read according to columnist Cara Young. Full of plot twists and powerful characters. Photo by Michelle Lecumberry.

Adventures with Cam: A Series of Unfortunate Events

February 27, 2017

By Cameron Purcell, Columnist

Cameron Ryan Purcell trying to climb the tree. Feb. 21. Photo by Michelle Lecumberry. Click on the picture to watch a video by Purcell.

I was rather desperate to find something entertaining for my beautiful stories of adventure that everyone so dearly enjoys. So desperate in fact, that I caved to the idea of doing yoga and having pictures taken of me wearing yoga pants, though the latter I did not mind doing.

Unfortunately, I was not in possession of yoga pants, and had to resort to jeans. I had recruited a friend, Michelle, to take pictures of me and admire my poses as I engage in the art of yoga. We waited for about an hour for yoga to begin in the FTC building, chatting with one another and the friends Michelle had brought with her. I liked the idea of having an audience as I did whatever one does in yoga.

However, when the time had arrived and we went into the FTC, we saw people flip flopping all over the place and doing Chuck Norris-esque kicks through the air. Michelle theorized that this may be some sort of dance class, but I waved off the notion. Surely these were just some extravagant yoga moves.

My theory was quickly disproven by the dance instructor who informed us that yoga was at 3 p.m., and not 1 p.m.. Neither Michelle nor I was going to wait two hours to do yoga and so we set off in search of a new adventure.

Cameron Ryan Purcell after not finding the yoga class. Feb. 21. Photo by Michelle Lecumberry.

Upon leaving the FTC building, I jokingly suggested I try to climb a tree for my next “Adventures with Cam”. Michelle objected, claiming that not only should I not do it, but that I couldn’t.

I took this as a challenge, throwing off my backpack in preparation for some hardcore tree climbing. Michelle, not wanting to see me fall off of a tree and break my bones, recommended driving one of the campus golf carts.

Coincidentally, a campus officer was driving by, and so we asked if we may commandeer his vehicle for the newspaper. As expected, he declined, but suggested we got to that back area place where all the golf carts are stored and ask whoever was in charge there.

And so we set off on our new quest for glory. Of course, Michelle was trying to talk me out of it, saying that we won’t be able to get a golf cart, that I could just write about how yoga didn’t work out.

But I was determined.

We entered the isolated loading zone and found a metal door beside a few parked golf carts. Without hesitation, I knocked on the door with a big smile on my face. We waited for a few minutes before I knocked once more.

And of course Michelle said we should leave. I convinced her to let me knock on the door one last time, and like the old saying goes, “Third time’s the charm.”

A young man opened the door, greeting us with a friendly expression. I explained to him that we wished to use one of their golf carts for the school newspaper, which we were a part of. He ducked back inside to speak with someone and came back out shortly after. With a big smile, he waved us inside and Michelle and I looked at each other with the biggest surprised faces on the planet.

Not even I thought this would work. Yet, here we were, going inside here to presumably get the keys to a golf cart! We turned a corner and came face to face with a much older man, to whom we explained our situation. He told us that he could not lend us one of their carts, as Lone Star would be liable if we got hurt while driving one.

We understood and thanked him for his time, but we were still saddened by this failure.

Columnist Cameron Ryan Purcell disappointed after failing to drive a golf car. Feb. 21. Photo by Michelle Lecumberry.

At this point, I was very desperate for an adventure. Michelle pressed me to give up, to just write about what had happened thus far.

I was not going to write about my failures.

I ran at the tree, Michelle yelling at me to stop whatever it was that I was doing, concerned for my safety.

I grabbed at the tree. I was ready to climb the heck out of this piece of nature. I was going to write a beautiful adventure about it and there’d be a picture of me sitting on a tree branch.

But Michelle’s continued pleading combined with the boo-boo I got from the tree bark scraping against my skin forced me to end this madness.

It was depressing really. This would be my adventure: the first day I’ve come into contact with failure.

In all seriousness though, despite the series of unfortunate events Michelle and I faced, it was a fun day. Sure we accomplished literally nothing whatsoever and I ended up humiliating myself. And sure my fans don’t get to see pictures of me in yoga pants.

But as horrible of a tragedy as that is, failure helps us to grow as people, to learn new things about ourselves.

Failure is what motivates us to overcome obstacles….

Which is why I am going to climb that tree.

Maybe not today.

Maybe not tomorrow.

But it will happen.

Adventures with Cam: Back to The Woods with a Side of Baked Beans

February 6, 2017

By Cameron Purcell, Columnist

It was a regular day like any other. I was looking through my emails before my classes began when one in particular caught my eye. While I normally skim through my emails or just read the subject and move on, two words within grabbed my attention.

“Free food.”

I quickly read through the email to see where and when this food would be, only to find out that not only was it free food, but this ‘Back to The Woods’ event had baked beans. Baked beans are, of course, one of mankind’s greatest achievements in the field of cooking. Luckily, the free food would take place that very same day, and I patiently waited for each of my classes to end, far too distracted by the thought of free baked beans to pay any attention to what my professors were saying.

I managed to get out of my last class a few minutes early, and speed walked to the Student Conference Center building only to find a line had already formed for the food that was being served early. I groaned internally and went to the back of the line, looking around at the many students carrying plates of meat, potato salad, and baked beans.

As I got closer to my divine destination, I saw that one must be in possession of their student ID to acquire the food of freedom. When I pulled out my wallet, I could not find mine anywhere inside of it. I panicked, and dug through all of my pockets two times each before checking my wallet once again.

Was this how my life would continue? Wonderful gifts of deliciousness hanging just out of arm’s reach with me standing there, salivating for an eternity?

Thankfully, after digging out my many already-used gift cards to Subway, I found my student ID just in time to show the guardian of the food. She let me pass, and I was blessed with meat and beans.

Not potato salad though. I hate potato salad.

Overall, Back to The Woods was great. There wasn’t much to it other than the food, but the food was good.

Especially the baked beans.

Film Review: “Hidden Figures”

February 6, 2017

By Cara Young, Columnist

When people think of the space race, the last thing on their minds would be African-American women working at NASA. On September 6, 2016, Margot Lee Shetterly reveals the hidden truth behind the space race in her book Hidden Figures. Just four months later, on January 6, 2017, the book was made into a major motion picture.The movie has been nominated for awards in the Oscars, Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes, including a nomination for Best Picture. Both the book and movie follow three African-American women; Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson through a behind the scenes story of the great space race. These three women were employed at NASA for a job that at the time was described as “human computers.” These women (among several others) solved complex mathematical equations by hand faster than the adding machines at that time. There doesn’t seem to be a number sequence they can’t handle. Even in 1960’s segregated Hampton, Virginia, these ladies make astronomical strides not only in racial equality but gender equality as well, all the while rising to the occasion of America’s greatest accomplishment.

Portraying our first prodigy, the character Katherine Johnson is portrayed by Empire actress Taraji P Henson who did a fantastic job shaving her normal level of self-confidence, attitude, and brilliant audacity to fit the mousey role presented in the film. Next, we have Octavia Spencer, a well-rounded actress taking on characters from serious to silly and sassing up every one of them, beautifully filling the heels of Dorothy Vaughan. Rounding out our leading ladies is the role of Mary Jackson played by singer/song writer, model, and actress Janelle Monae. Also, bringing a degree of star power to the supporting cast is Marvel’s Luke Cage, Mahershala Ali as Colonel Jim Johnson, Katherine’s love interest. Additionally, Big Bang Theory genius Jim Parsons as NASA genius. Paul Stafford and Draft Day actor Kevin Costner as Al Harrison took slots as some of NASA’s space program mathematical design leaders.

If that cast isn’t music to your ears, the actual soundtrack will be. Keeping true to the 60’s theme, the melody and lyrical appeal was defiantly identifiable with the time. Not a big surprise, however, when the dominating artist turned out to be Pharrell Williams bringing songs “I See Victory”, “Crave”, and “Able” into context seamlessly with the picture. Several other artists contributed to the film’s soundtrack, such as Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Titus Turner, and Mary Jackson’s actress Janelle Monae, bringing their own brand of rhythm, funk and mad talent. Attributing the movie success to these factors with a slight bow to director Theodore Melfi, who you may not remember from films such as St. Vincent, Winding Roads, and The Story of Bob, because you probably didn’t know those were films in the first place. Regardless, this picture did its job. Hidden Figures was well-received, memorable, and a stunning step in American history that would have otherwise continued to be overlooked.

You Have a Choice: Third Party?

October 29, 2016

By Cameron Purcell, Staff Writer

The 2016 election is arguably the most heated in American history, and has split America into two halves. Though, many in these halves do not recognize what is beyond Republicans and Democrats, what is beyond red and blue. Many believe that there are only two choices when referring to politics and the election itself. But a choice is not a choice if its options are limited to merely two. Thankfully, there are many other options.

There are over 30 official political parties in the United States, with five of them being recognized as having a significant amount of influence: Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Green Party, and Constitution Party. All five throw a candidate into the political field as a potential president, yet it has been instilled in us that only a Democrat or Republican would ever win, and that they are the only choices.

Democratic Party: Hilary Clinton

Republican Party: Donald Trump

Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson

Green Party: Jill Stein

Constitutional Party: Darrell Castle

Each party has its own unique set of core values, and each of their candidates have their own agendas they wish to put forth. If you find yourself unsatisfied with the current reigning two parties, do not let the myth “that voting for a third party does nothing” dissuade you from voting for who you truly feel is the right choice. Even if a third party does not succeed in this election, support via voting results in a higher campaign budget for said party.

Not only that, but you voted for someone who you thought would do America well. You voted per your honest beliefs. There is a concerning lack of hope in America as of late, and many feel as if there is nothing that can be done about the many problems prevalent in our lives.

But they are only half-right.

Nothing can be done unless someone makes something happen, unless someone contributes to change. Every citizen in this country has the ability to tremendously impact the current structure of our government. Whether it be through direct activism and public speeches, or doing some small research on a third party and voting what you truly believe, you have the irrevocable power to bring about change. It is up to you how you will use this power, if at all.

And never let anything shake your belief in your own power.

Category - Opinions