Reflection

 

In this millennium, it’s difficult to freely express your views without receiving the harsh disapproval from people who don’t share the same ideals. With the combination of technology and a polarized political climate, people are drawn to the negativity of the media. Rather than coming up with solutions to an issue or having a thoughtful debate, people resort to using platforms such as Twitter to argue with strangers.

 

I struggled to find a place that allowed me to have thoughtful discussions and debates. My generation has forgotten how to listen, to pause and reflect upon what other people say. We have given rise to a new era of selective listeners. In search of a place where I can expand my worldview and engage in a healthy discussion of relevant topics with others, I founded the Junior State of America, at school, whose motto is “No party is left behind.” During weekly meetings, we hold informal debates; we’ve discussed numerous controversial topics, including immigration reform, net neutrality, the Syrian refugee crisis, Obamacare, and the NFL flag controversy. I consider myself an open-minded individual and much of it has been the result of engaging in debates and discussions, through which I’ve learned to take other people’s ideas into account and debunk them—and if I can’t, to revise my own beliefs. Part of maturity is to accept when I’m wrong, and I have revised and changed several beliefs as a result of the discussions and debates I’ve had.

I will be attending UCLA in the fall as a business economics major, and I am excited to take courses and interact with students from different walks of life that will continue to challenge me in this way. 

 

Throughout the process of conducting my Senior project, I can safely say that I have completed it with a success and I am leading a generation of confident and ardent advocates. Not only have I started a club on campus that is non-partisan, but I have started a club that is the center of political activism and free speech. Though I ran into some troubles, my successes outweighed any difficulty I went through.

 

As I am a part of the cabinet on the Junior State of America Channels Island region, I have led other members to do so as well. Danielle Efrat, a freshman, will be running as Senator in the election season. She has sprung up from being a shy member to one that is outspoken and confident.  I have seen each and every one of my members flourish and become civically involved with the institution of my chapter two years ago.