Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several months, you know that a big change has happened in the US of A: yet another new President. ACC celebrated with an inauguration watch party on January 20th, watching live as President Trump was sworn into office. The emotions in the student lounge at that event were intense, to say the least. Looks of defeat and worry were traded between faculty and students alike. The lounge was silent as President Trump raised his right hand and then gave his first presidential speech minutes later. Witnessing this first-hand got me thinking about what this election truly has done for young adults in our country.

This year in politics has been one to remember and will definitely go down in the history books. It has been controversial and has raised a lot of questions within our country. When things like this happen, young adults are hesitant to reveal their own views and state what they are truly thinking. We are often told that our votes don’t matter or our views and opinions don’t matter. But I think that is totally backwards.

As students of higher-education, I believe that we all have the right to express our own feelings and opinions. In addition to having the right, it is our civic duty. We are the future of the United States (yes, I know that sounds cheesy and you’ve heard it a million times before, but it’s true!). We should all be able to express what we think on a subject, no matter what said subject is. It allows for great conversations and debates, which eventually leads to learning. And that learning leads to us being more sensitive and aware of the world around us.

That is what I like about ACC. It is an open space to share your opinions. Sure, it may cause some debates (some more heated than others), but, hey, that’s the fun part! I am lucky enough to be a Journalism major in this very interesting time in America, as is everyone on the Pinnacle staff. Last semester, we talked extensively on the subject of politics. The staff was divided when it came to talking about the election and it led to multiple passionate debates between class members. And let me tell you, I learned more from those debates than I did in my entire high school civics class. Politics is a fact of life, so you might as well embrace it with open arms and learn from it!

Whether you like President Trump or not, you are able to express your opinions on him. You are able to speak up about what you are feeling and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. That is what really makes America great. And that is truly what democracy is.