Don't give up; we are the change we seek

The news cycle is coming at as faster and faster, mostly because we can't get through half a day without the president tweeting something disgusting or vile.

It is enough for people to become overwhelmed, frustrated and ready to give up entirely on the decency of humanity. People decide to disengage and bury their heads in the sand.

Don't do it.

Every person has the power to do something to make their community better. It starts in your own backyard. Think Global, Act Local. You can volunteer somewhere in your town or county. Be involved at your child's school. There are organizations in your village and township where you can get involved. Run for something. Talk to your neighbors. Knock on doors. In January I became a Dundee Township Precinct Committeman. I'm meeting local candidates, congressional candidates and gubernatorial candidates to hear their ideas on how we can get back to a place where we may not always agree but we do good for the better of all. They say it starts at the kitchen table, but it must go further than that.

We are the change we seek. We want the same things. Where we go wrong is thinking that we can't make a difference and what we do doesn't matter. We remain silent. Look around and you'll find that everyone has a voice along with the ability to make things better, even if it is only within their own subdivision. There are many of us out there and we're ready to make sure everyone knows that democracy isn't going anywhere.

Jake Serafini

Carpentersville