In the past environmental and conservation issues have really peaked my interest. Once our planet is beyond repair and certain species are extinct there is no going back, and it’s all downhill from there. I don’t want to have the next generation suffer from our consequences. Earth can recover from the damage done by humans over a millennia, but humans won’t be able to recover from the damage done by humans. There is no greater example of this than climate change and the exhaustion of our natural resources. Politicians use the excuse that environmentally friendly options are detrimental to the economy. However, once the icecaps melt and the sea rises, there will be no economy left to worry about.
Another key concern of mine is women’s rights and equality. I have personally suffered multiple occasions not being treated equally as men, whether it be in the workplace, public, or private settings. The United States should be closer to equality, but it’s not. And in other countries around the world women receive far worse treatment. Why kind of example are we setting in the U.S. if we don’t even have equality? Women should receive fair and equal treatment as men and also shouldn’t even have to question if their wages are the same as men.
Education and of course the cost of education is another great concern of mine. Certain political figures hold strengthening our borders and border security at higher importance than education. I don’t think border security is where the focus should be set, or necessarily where money should be spent. When I was younger, I enjoyed many different programs my school would have. But towards my later years it was my realization, that programs and specific classes were continually suffering or were rid of due to budget cuts. In my college years I have constantly felt the pressure of grotesquely high tuition costs. While trying to go to school, it is incredibly difficult for students to work jobs, but when financial aid is stretched thin they have no choice.
Gun control is a very important conversation. I used to have nothing against gun ownership until mass shootings became more prevalent. In terms of legislation being passed to place more restrictions on gun ownership, there hasn’t been any. To be clear, I don’t think that people shouldn’t own guns. My old belief was that no one should have guns. After shooting a gun myself and meeting with different responsible gun owners, I realize getting rid of guns all together isn’t the right answer. However, I do believe that something needs to happen– the United States has one of the highest rates of gun violence.
Mental health is one of the greatest areas of concern, but until recently, the issue hasn’t had much exposure. There is still a huge stigma against those suffering from mental health issues. Anxiety and depression aren’t seen as a medical condition but a weakness. This is especially troubling because mental health issues are seen in schools, in the military, the workplace, and across any gender or age. In schools especially, there aren’t enough resources for students with mental health issues. I believe not only should there be more resources available, but that teachers and professors should be trained to at least recognize symptoms of mental health problems.
My different concerns are all reasons that I have for wanting to earn a degree in international relations. I feel whether I deal with people internationally or on a more local level, my political science background will help me understand these issues better and will further help my approach towards solving them.
I can appreciate all of your concerns. As a mother of three, I wonder what kind of world have I brought my children into and what kind of world am I leaving them. These topics are a concern for everyone whether they know it or not. They affect us all. There may not be one specific answer to all of these questions and or concerns. However, if we don’t work together to find some sort of answer, no changes will be made. I applaud your hard work and drive to leave the world in a better place than you found it. It is refreshing to see someone show not only concern, but the intentions to find a solution.
You are right, there are many things wrong with this world, not just the small piece that we reside in. However, when I look back over history and see how far we have come, I am encouraged that we can make things even better. It wasn’t that long ago that women weren’t even considered to be human, let alone equal. They were just another piece of property. And even though we have done a great deal of damage to our environment, we have people who are proactive in making repairs. In Pennsylvania we have the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. There is also the Department of Environmental Protection. There is hope for us humans yet!
It was interesting to note how your views shifted when speaking with gun-owners. Later you talk about how your education can help you speak with people from different backgrounds. What do you think is most important when trying to speak with others who might not agree with you? How can we be open to changing our own mind just as much as changing others’ minds? When do we chose not to “budge” on certain aspects of an issue?
I think a lot about the media I consume, and how it influences me, and whether I am taking enough active steps to try to be open to standpoints that don’t make it through to things I tend to read and watch. The so-called “echo chamber” I may find myself in. So as I read your post about your experience with gun-owners and how your mind changed, I wonder what your perspective on that is.