“Well, that’s just the way the world works.”

“Life is unfair, but what can you do about it?”

“There’s no point trying to change the way it is; it’s not worth the effort.”

In my high school career, I’ve heard these three phrases and countless variations of them too many times from adults, and I simply cannot accept this answer anymore. As someone who wants to play an active role in changing society for the better, I’m baffled by the behavior and transgressions we let slide because we are too afraid of shaking the system.

I grew up with adults telling my fellow classmates and me that we were the future of this world. I grew up with cheesy, inspirational posters reassuring me of my potential. I grew up with the understanding that I was going to school, getting my education, and being a productive member of society so that I could help with its advancement.

Does this still hold true? If so, then why does it seem that I’m expected to just accept and put up with what goes around me?

It feels like sometimes those around me either don’t care or have accepted defeat in the pursuit of improvement.

But why? How did we collectively as a society let this happen? Are our priorities really so confused?

Why do we settle for status quo when we know there’s better out there? Why do we stay silent and not speak up when we have the power to do so? Why do we pass up on the opportunity to make real, positive change around us no matter how insignificant it may seem?

It appears that most of us would agree we want to be movers and shakers of the world who help guide society on the right track, but when it comes to it, do our actions truly reflect this? Or are we perhaps a little too full of ourselves and think a tad bit too highly of who we really are to realize we do not act as we assume we preach.

To my fellow Redhawks, do not let the hesitancy and ignorance of others hush your voice. If you observe something that you feel is wrong or needs to be changed whether that be in your immediate environment or society as a whole, I urge you to speak up and voice your concerns. There are far too many people who accept the world and its preventable injustices for what it is without questioning that there’s potential to do and be much better.

The vicious cycle of laziness and stagnation does no one good, especially not our posterity. We inherit from our past generations hopefully a better world, and we should only continue to carry this tradition on by leaving the legacy of an improved society, which continues to honor the process of progress.

When it comes to technology and innovation, it seems that we can never settle. Think about how many people salivate over the release of the newest model of an iPhone. Too bad people don’t adopt that same materialistic gusto when making their mark on society.

Progress when it comes to humanity and the world is never a final destination or endpoint. It is a continuous journey. Do not be fooled into thinking we have reached the highest tier of advancement as a civilization.

We can always, and we should always do better and be better.