Just two weeks ago, a new president was inaugurated into the White House – President Donald J. Trump. The entering of a new president often results in a bittersweet leave for his predecessor. In 2017, President Barack Obama left the White House, leaving his supporters greatly emotional.

It is undeniable that President Obama greatly impacted the state of this country. While many are relieved to see his exit, others are saddened to see the end of an era. Over the past eight years, progress was made both economically and socially. After passing the Affordable Care Act, reviving the economy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ending the war in Iraq, overseeing the elimination of Osama Bin Laden and gaining support to lead to the Supreme Court approval of same-sex marriage, Obama certainly made his legacy.  

With the entering of a president of a drastically different political ideology, though, supporters of President Obama need to remember to advocate the causes we fought hard to preserve.

“I’m just nervous that our ideals will be overlooked,” Coppell High School senior Tyler Huang said. “I hope that somehow we will be able to meet a middle ground, through which our progress won’t be trashed.”

At this point, it is up to the citizens of America to be vocal with their beliefs. Though there is a Republican majority in Congress and a Republican president, Democrats should not lose hope. Advocates of our beliefs remain in the Senate from Bernie Sanders to Elizabeth Warren, both of whom have been outright in preserving Democratic progress.

But as John F. Kennedy famously said, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

As American people, we must advocate change. Whether it be through marches or through contacting our representatives, now is the time when we face the test. The purpose of the U.S. government is to essentially have the power vested in the people. Now is when we put that into action.

I want to stress how crucial it is that we remain optimistic. For the next four years, we have to bind together through compromise and avoid further division. Afterall, if our government fails, we fail.