[Solved]: Hi there, my name is Alison, my pronouns are she/her

Hi there, my name is Alison, my pronouns are she/her. I currently live in Minnesota, where I moved about eight months ago from Virginia. I have two amazing daughters who are 11 and 6, and I’m majoring in Environmental Science because I care deeply about protecting our environment and creating a better future. Outside of school and work, I love spending time outdoors, cooking, and being with my girls. Reading through the Module One guide really made me stop and think about how important this class is, especially in today’s world. One line that really stuck with me was: “Democracy requires the active role of citizens because power in a democracy comes from citizens; in turn, citizens exercise their power through participation.” It made me realize how easy it has been for me in the past to fall into routine or even blissful ignorance, not really paying attention to current events or voting because it felt like none of it affected me directly. The more I’ve seen injustices play out in the world, though, the more I’ve come to understand how important it is to be an active citizen and to speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’m not sure I would fully consider myself an active citizen yet, but I’m working on becoming one. I’ve definitely become more aware and more engaged than I used to be. I think active citizenship means staying informed, using your voice, standing up for others, and taking action when you see something that needs to change. It’s not just about voting, although that is an important part of it, but it’s also about caring enough to pay attention and take responsibility. Active citizenship looks different today than it did in the past because of how much the internet and social media have changed the way we connect and share information. On the positive side, the internet gives us the chance to learn about people and situations we might never have known about before. It allows us to hear voices from around the world, which in theory should help us become better citizens by expanding our understanding and empathy. But at the same time, the internet also spreads misinformation and negativity, which can make it harder to know what is true or to find common ground. In my own life, I try to participate by staying informed through non-biased information sources and by using my role as a marketer for a skilled nursing facility to educate the community about resources that help meet basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care. One change I would love to see is better access to healthcare and stronger protections for both people and the environment.