Rekindle the spirit of democracy

“All governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion.” — President Barack Obama

For me, a young and aspiring political activist and junior in high school, these words are more than just a segment of a speech in response to the recent cries for political reform and a shift of power in Egypt. They are the kind of words that inspire me to keep fighting for my dreams each and every day. In a changing world wrought with the multifaceted spirit of globalization and development, the feeling of human emotion and passion is often lost in the effort to sustain our minute-by-minute updates on current events.

I have a message for my fellow people: Now is our time to recapture that idealistic fervor for democracy that has defined the American dream for generations and attempt to remake America once more. From one American to another, I implore my fellow citizens to reach out, rather than allowing the pain or anxiety to fester within. In order for transparency and democracy to flourish, we must first exemplify those values toward one another.

My heart and strong conviction lie in the winning spirit of our democratic republic, but if we are to preserve the best virtues of our government, I call on all people to re-imagine our world as our progressive-minded forebears did: one that welcomes the angels of true statesmanship, diplomatic discourse, hometown values, and an abiding faith that our collective future rests in our ability to look each other in the eye and say, “We believe again.” I have faith that we can do this, and I urge my fellow Americans to begin fulfilling this promise right away.

Henry Wilson

Barrington