Josie looks forward to the start of a new decade

By Josie Collier

Editor-in-Chief

One hundred years ago, women received the right to vote. But it was only 50 years ago when America fought through the brutalities of the Vietnam War. With a new year and decade beginning, I want to reflect and predict what the future has to hold for our country and community. 

Over the past century America has made many positive strides and experienced numerous setbacks, but now with the blank slate of a new decade beginning, I believe our futures as individuals in this country are definitely uncertain, but not unpromising. 

With the previous decade ending with the impeachment of our president and 2020 presidential elections approaching, it is unsettling to see a country, let alone my own, exhibit political division that drives leaders to opposite ends of the political spectrum. The eyes of our nation are focused on a conflict that promotes taking sides, and it does not bode well that it is difficult for our country to find a topic that we can unify over.

Another topic that has made it to the foreground of political and environmental debates across the world and across the Costa campus is the earth’s current climate condition. The concern and skepticism surrounding the debate on climate change has created an atmosphere of hesitation as our communities take their next steps into the future. 

Though there are reservations regarding our futures, there are undoubtedly progressions that have to be appreciated. Individuals on this campus who participated in the Women’s March are an example of those who have the goal and the spirit to simply make the world a better place. The optimism that they exhibit is what will provide our communities hope moving forward into an uncertain future. 

That being said, I believe the accomplishments made and events that occur in 2020 will define and set standards for the rest of the decade. I can only hope that 50 years from now, and that 100 years from now, we will be able to look back at 2020 as a year when we continued to make positive and lasting changes in our political and social climate.