This is an article from the June 2025 Civitas Examiner (Volume 2, No. 3) and was written by one of our students, Navya M. The opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of Civitas other than respect for the value of open dialogue. To read more Civitas Examiner stories or to submit your own, click here.
It’s hard, messy and confusing to navigate today’s world. We’re dealing with politics, war, disastrous weather, unemployment, recession, inflation and many other problems. You come to this article expecting me to give you a magical answer that will turn everything into a wonderful world where we all get along. The truth is that the problems I just listed above will never stop as long as we are fighting the people around us.
It’s normal to feel helpless. Remember that people who have experienced loss connect and feel an immediate unspoken understanding with others who have shared experiences, which is why this article is written, in hopes of finding comfort in company. I know, I feel that way every time I look at the news and while I would love to tell you that there’s a one-size-fits-all solution, there isn’t, but there are ways to remedy the pain.
First, let’s address the problem. I’ve noticed a thirst, an anxiety about the idea of control in others. People feel that they’ve lost that agency by living in a country represented by a leader who doesn’t necessarily reflect themselves. This article is for those people.
In essence, we grieve the loss of our assumptive world, and our grief provides us with the process by which we grapple with the assault on our most deeply held convictions and beliefs to eventually rebuild a new, assumptive world that will integrate the lived experience that catapulted us into this uncharted territory.
What you might be feeling right now is political grief. Political grief is a complex emotional response to significant political events that disrupt communities, nations, and identities. We respond to these stimuli by fighting people who oppose our views, avoiding the news, staying indifferent to issues, or submitting to others’ opinions.
“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength,” Marcus Aurelius, former Roman emperor and philosopher, said.
Stop thinking left v.s. right. “You need to start thinking about the bottom 99%,” Kelli Dunaway, a former St. Louis City Councilwoman, said. You need to think about the families, the person you see across the street, the ones who dare to dream, and we’ll make more progress than we have ever made. Fight for the people, not against them.
If there are people who you think have the wrong outlook on a topic, first listen to them. If we are willing to listen to another’s journey and admit if we had the same journey, we’d arrive at the same conclusions. They just have a different perspective. It’s that openness that will help you feel authenticity.
However, we will never work together in unison unless there is a common enemy. For example, take 9/11. During the aftermath of the tragedy, Americans from all over the country were filled with rage for the terrorists. Seeing all the hurt and devastation had stricken their hearts. They felt the need to support each other and come together because their fellow people had fallen.
Our common enemy of today is the 1%, the percentage that owns the most wealth and luxuries, while the bottom 99% suffer. Think back to the French Revolution, where it was 2% and 98%. We are much worse off today, and we need a change.
I’ve learned that fear feeds fear. However, you’ll also be fearful of that outcome and all that it entails. You may see bad things in the news, and they tell you WWIII is coming. You’ll see signs everywhere. The more that the media fuels fear, the more you’ll see it. The media understands the psychology behind it and will feed into it so that people will be hooked. Remember back to COVID and all the lockdowns? How many times a day did you check the news for updates on the chaos and panic going on? Once? Twice? Every hour?
So, stay focused on the good as much as you can. Look for life, look for the kind people who are helping. Know that none of the bad has to do with you as an individual; it has to do with the selfish needs of the commanders. Plan for the future. Reach out on the internet. Do whatever is necessary to be in control of your situation. Sleep, eat, make friends, and get support. Hang in there. Don’t let bitterness take over. Seriously, almost the entire world is hoping for the best for you and feels the same way.
