Change is in the air

From an early age, I have been fascinated with history. I have a minor in history, in fact. I find myself pondering the current political and social landscape and wondering what it has in store for us. What will the history books say? Are the biggest changes yet to come? Or have they happened already?

These are just some the questions floating around in my mind.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what was taking place in the days leading up to some of the most significant events in our history.

For instance, what were people thinking or how did they feel about the universe the day before Edmond Halley paid a visit to Sir Isaac Newton in Cambridge back in August of 1684?

Our Founding Fathers had planned the Revolution for months, but what was the general population experiencing on July 3, 1776? The same question can be asked of the antebellum period prior to the Civil War, and a century later before the launch of the Civil Rights Movement.

Is everything we are experiencing now in our society giving us a clear hint of what is to come next?

Just three weeks ago, horrific shootings in Parkland, Fla., claimed the lives of 17 people. For the first time, I saw the survivors take center stage.

The teenagers got fed up with the adults acting like children, so they decided they had to lead the way for change.

I’m always encouraged to see youth becoming politically involved, especially considering how historically adults ages 18 to 25 have the lowest voter turnout nationally.

But this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen foreshadowing of imminent change.

Over the last two years or so, women have also risen to cast a spotlight on the sexual abuse and harassment that plagues our society.

It has been encouraging to me to see #MeToo and Time’s Up movements take center stage. It has been long overdue.

Something that may be flying under the radar of most is a lawsuit filed by a group of teenagers led by 17-year-old indigenous environmental activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.

They are suing the U.S. government for its failure to act on climate change.

Just this week, a federal appeals court in San Francisco denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss.

Regardless of how much of an impact each of these movements will have in the large picture, there is change in the air.

Whether it is politics, long-overdue justice or just part of a generational change, I believe we’re seeing the opening pages of an important era unfold before our eyes.

Whatever your point of view may be, I think it is important to make an effort to have an educated one. We should know what we stand for and start getting involved.

Even if taking part of marches or doing outreach is not your thing, the simple act of voting has seldom been more meaningful than it is today.