Dear anyone,
First off, hey! Welcome to my new article series called “An Open Letter to Anyone and Everyone.” In these I’m hoping to give a little advice and make sense of our awesomely creative and crazy world. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get down to business. In the past couple of weeks and months, my generation has been at the very center of a political battle that is, and has been brewing across this nation since before we were born. Sometimes, when young people use their voice, they will get attacked for it. Sometimes, standing up for what you believe is right isn’t easy. And sometimes, people will try to bring you down for doing so. When this happens, it is easy to escape into a world where you hide. But that should NEVER happen. Now how does this relate to a political storm? When this generation uses their voice, people become afraid. It’s a fear that is born out of the unknown, and it’s okay to have that fear. What isn’t okay, is when they act on that fear. If you feel like you know what it is like to be on the receiving end of that fear, know it’s not your fault. If you feel passionately about a subject, don’t you dare let others bring you down. Sometimes, in this crazy world we called home, it can seem easier to conform to social norms than stand out as ourselves. Let’s be clear- this does not mean you can become a mean person, or be disrespectful. Just because you have your opinion doesn’t mean someone else can’t
have theirs. So how do you let your voice be heard? Step one is just acknowledging the fact that you have a voice and things to share. The next steps are surprisingly easy. Your representatives are the best people to contact if you want change. You also should never doubt the power of local and national activism. Going to protests in Washington D.C. or any other city can help get the recognition you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to organize your own protest if you feel like you could do it! Never forget what generation you are from either. You and I grew up stealing our parents iPhones and could work them better than they could at age 6. Use that to your advantage! Social media is an amazing place that can connect ideas and people from across the globe to one another. And you know what they say, “a picture says a thousand words.” So you have done all these things and now are getting a little kickback from some people. That’s okay! As long as you are respectful of everyone’s ideas, the only persons actions you can control are yours. However, if it all seems a little overwhelming and you are beginning to question your sanity, I’ve got your back. Remember why you are doing this. You are fighting for a cause that you believe in, that you
think deserves your time and energy. If that doesn’t work, get some space away from the hustle and bustle of life and relax. It is amazing how good you can feel after going on a walk through the woods, or reading a book at the crack of dawn. Trust me, I have done both in high stress situations. The past few weeks have shown how powerful people like you and me can become in moments. There will always be people who try to bring down those who aren’t afraid of their voice. Just remember, your voice can spark and idea that can spark a revolution.
With love,
Kelsey Sheaffer.