3rd Essay Introduction

The United states has been battling with deep political and social divisions for many years, and young people are not invincible to this reality. As the next generation of leaders and decision-makers, young people have a crucial role to play in bridging the gap between these divides and working towards a more united America. Young people can contribute to this goal by actively participating and seeking out diverse perspectives. Many people have expressed their thoughts on these divisions. An author by the name of Danusha Lameris, who wrote a poem called “Small Kindness”, in it she celebrates the power of small acts of kindness in our daily lives. Acts that may seem insignificant, but they have a profound impact on the speaker, reminding us of the goodness in the world and inspiring her to pay it forward. Another author by the name of Michael Paterniti, wrote a essay called “Eating Jack Hookers Cow”, the essay takes us on a journey to Kansas, where we encounter Jack and Bev Hooker, owners of a motel, and their rival Bout Sinhpraseut. Through his detailing reporting, Paterniti offers readers a close look of each character, providing insight into their hopes, struggles, and prejudices. He talks about what it means to be an American, but also dives deep into capitalism, family, xenophobia, immigration and love. Both of these pieces give great insight about the state of the world we live in. As much as I would love to say that America will one day be a united and open-minded country, I do not believe that we will ever get to that point. However, the role as a young man living in a divided America is crucial, as we have the potential to act as bridge-builders, catalysts for change, and agents of unity, by actively engaging in civil discourse, advocating for social justice, seeking out diverse perspectives, and overall working towards a more equitable and inclusive society.