Christopher Fulco, Period 5, 01/07/2021, Day B

Christopher Fulco

01/07/2021

Period 5

Modern Mythology 2021

At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?

    As we enter into the new year, I feel my specific goals changing. I not only want to solidify my own social opinions, as well as beginning to push myself forward socially, but focus on finding my own personal happiness. The events of yesterday are still fresh on my mind, and honestly, they deeply shocked and disturbed me. To see the nation's Capitol, a building meant to embody freedom and democracy, flooded with individuals meant to overturn a democratic election, it terrified me. I want my own opinions on the world to be solidified, as I've grown, I felt myself distancing myself from political and social issues. I became a bystander to the great problems of the world, and distanced myself from the issues plaguing society as a whole. The events of yesterday made me rethink a lot of my own beliefs. I want to become someone proud to share his beliefs, not someone who is too scared of backlash to tell those around him how he feels. In addition to this, I hope to become more confident, and feel as if this attempt to branch out politically and socially will bring me my own happiness.

How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)

    Resilience in this aspect is being confident enough to keep discovering how I feel about the social issues plaguing the country. The ability to press on day in and day out and know that the ideas and beliefs I am fighting for are the morally and intellectually correct ones. The ability for me to look out at those around me and mold and mesh my opinions and beliefs to match what I personally believe in, as well as being confident enough to tell those around me how I feel, and sticking up for the beliefs I believe in. As well as this, resilience is being able to be strong enough to make the tough decisions about which opinions are right. In the current world, many of the political and social opinions of those around us have been very much stratified. You're either left or right. Right or wrong. That's a very basic way at looking at any sort of opinion, there are nuances in life. Nuances that cannot be discarded or simply thrown to the side for the sake of supporting one or the other party. You have to believe, truly believe, what you think is best for the nation as a whole, and that will be a different belief than the person to your right or left. At the end of the day though, respect for all is very important. People will disagree on a lot of things in life, and although their opinions may be slightly different than yours in some aspects, you have to find common ground and come to a compromise. Resilience in this case is finding the greatest possible compromises.

How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)

    Once again, recent events have really molded and shaped this goal of mine. I've seen what can only be described as the worst in people brought to light. Destruction, violence, the glorification of authoritarianism, among other things. It has terrified me to think that a nation founded on the principles of democracy, freedom of expression and speech, and the right to peaceful protest, would resort to lengths such as authoritarianism, suppression and censorship, and political violence to achieve useless and uncaring goals. I believe in the nation. I believe it has the power to do better. My goal is, at its simplest, to be a better citizen. I pray and hope that things for this country improve. I want to see everyone prosper. I want to see those around me treated with respect and receive justice, which even now, seems so fleeting. For every day that this political turmoil becomes worse, the world looks on in pain and in shame. However, it makes my resolve, my perception that this is what needs to be done, it makes that ever stronger.