1 Fabian Romero English 114B 9:30 Professor V.

Derohanessian 18 February, 2014 Youre Not Alone To become a functioning member of society each and every citizen needs to participate. Participation can involve in several different activities locally, by state, or even nationally. Being a citizen means holding duties that need to be fulfilled to make an efficient community. No one should hide from being part of a community because everyone is needed to become whole. Areas where citizens derive from are reflected to what others think. Taking care of the elderly, tutoring children, voting for the best fit to represent politically, or even cleaning the streets is part of making the World whole. Take pride to your surroundings and where you come from. Everyone is afraid to be alone in the World when they dont have to be. All citizens should take part on how they wish their society is best fit through participation in theirs and others lives. Taking personal dedication for education may not seem beneficial to others but it is when it comes to benefitting the economy, becoming politically aware to make changes, or inspire others with the knowledge. Education isnt meant for a deserved few but for everyone. Education is the basis of making others aware of what is needed to be done. In the article The Role of Civic Education Margaret Stimmann Branson states There is no more important task than the development of an informed, effective, and responsible citizenry. Being well informed is difficult but will not come unless it is pursued. Being well informed may not necessarily be academics such as math, English, and science. Students of all ages may take extracurricular activities. The activities may involve ceramics, being in boy/girl scouts, or even playing a

2 musical instrument. The use of the knowledge that is gained from all the activities is used to share these skills socially to make all the parts of society function in whatever way. The purpose of someones life is to be of use. Citizens must feel to have a sense of purpose and use within a community where they belong. Any of these activities, amongst a variety other things, helps individuals become well equipped to participate with everyone around them. Another way to contribute is taking action in your city with what is already learned through personal education. Anyone can join in organizations that have a goal to create a better public view inside and out. Citizens could care for the elderly that have worked all their lives and would enjoy their company. The older citizens deserve the respect from the youth because of so much wisdom and knowledge of what the past was once like. No one can truly explain a time period unless there are people who have written it down and alive to tell the difference. Of course anything can read about the past but its more reassuring, credible, and interesting coming from a source that had their life in that time period. There is also the option of volunteering in a hospital for the severely ill. There are patients that are going through of the worst times and may not have family or friends. Everyone needs someone to support them in a time of despair. There may even be special projects like creating a soup kitchen for the homeless. Having soup kitchens will join the community to extend a hand to those starving alone in the streets. Yes, the chance of attracting more homeless will make the area seem unwelcoming, but the soup kitchen will encourage the homeless to get back on their feet. In the article Civic Responsibility by Jennifer Self states Due to civic responsibility, citizenship was understood in term of labors of ordinary people who created foods and undertook projects to benefit, as opposed to the high-minded, virtuous and leisure activities of gentlemen. The article explains how when a community comes together and are in agreement with any situation, objectives will run more smoothly and

3 efficiently. Not only will the community be more productive, it will be full of pride and emotional bonds. The bigger picture to continue civic responsibility is the political point of view. The opportunity to change everything around and beyond is within the power of the people. The people have the chance to deal with politics whether it deals with voting for every election of government or running as a representative themselves. The citizens that choose to become a representative are the mirror image of what communities want. Politics are not really in the publics general interest, but it is where citizens can make the most change. Nearly half of the U.S population vote for elections. Many people believe that voting wont have an impact in any form of government. With the attitude that an individual wont change anything causes an effect on others that they shouldnt vote either. If every citizen was interested and believe their one vote can make the difference in politics, we may have several changes within the nation and fast. The voice of the people needs to be heard and shall remain silent as long as they choose to do so. On the website RightToVote.org, it was stated The power of voting is the power of change; it's the power of making a mark in history and voicing your opinions. The website emphasizes the importance of everyones participation as a country. The truth of the public prevails through all citizens voting. Civic responsibility is necessary to be able to excel as human beings coexisting with one another. Not noticing of everyone around makes it difficult to coexist and flourish. Everyones participation is needed through the city of where they live or through the entire worlds need of change. Change requires each individual to be inspired of what can be done to make themselves and other feel comfortable with their community. The individuals are to come together and do

4 everything they can to make families feel safe going to the park every day. If nobody reacts to a burning building around them, they are expected to blaze into ash and cease to exist.

Works Citied "Responsibility Of Voting." Importance Of Voting. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. "FairVote.org | Voter Turnout." FairVote. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. Self, Jennifer. "Learning to Give, Philanthropy Education Resources That Teach Giving and Civic Engagement." Learning to Give. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014

Lau, R. R., & Redlawsk, D. P. (1997). Voting correctly. The American Political Science Review, 91(3), 585-598. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/214436725?accountid=7285 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/turnout.php