For young people growing up in this era, Trumps presidency&his return to office
have created a warped civics lesson. They’ve watched adults cheer for cruelty, dismiss facts as “fake news,” and treat politics like a reality show where the point is to “own” the other side, not solve problems. They see that being loud, shameless, and mean can get you millions of followers, a devoted fan base, and a permanent spot in the headlines. The tragedy is that we have models who show the opposite lesson: that power can be used with responsibility, that words matter, that empathy isn’t weakness but strength. Obama, for example, consistently tied power to patience, gratitude, and a sense of duty. That’s the kind of leadership young people deserve to see honored and amplified. If Trump’s legacy is a decade of lowered standards, our job is to raise them back up—and to make it absolutely clear to the next generation that cruelty and corruption are not “just politics,” they are choices. And we don’t have to keep choosing them.
Growing up during a politically polarized era has profoundly influenced my perspective on leadership and civic responsibility. Witnessing the loud, often harsh political climate surrounding Trump's presidency made me realize how crucial it is for young people to see leaders who exemplify dignity and empathy rather than aggression and division. The culture of mocking opponents and prioritizing spectacle over substance can distort how the next generation understands governance and community. I remember discussing these issues with friends who felt disillusioned, unsure of what values to hold onto in a landscape that often seemed to reward cruelty and constant conflict. This makes it all the more important to highlight leaders like Obama, whose emphasis on patience, gratitude, and a sense of duty showed that power need not be wielded recklessly. His approach offered a model of leadership that prioritizes the well-being of all, demonstrating that empathy is a source of strength, not weakness. Reflecting on Trump's time in office, I see a legacy that challenged traditional norms and lowered expectations for political discourse. However, this awareness also motivates us to raise standards, insisting that politics be more than just a game of winning and losing. Teaching young people that cruelty and corruption are choices, not necessities, is imperative. We must cultivate an environment where responsible, compassionate leadership is the norm. In my own community, I've found that engaging in thoughtful conversations about these topics encourages others to rethink how they engage with politics. We need to move away from the entertainment-driven model of political engagement and towards one that values integrity, truth, and mutual respect. This shift is essential if we want future generations to believe in and work toward a better political future.
