In a world where bright infographics and scandalous advertisements snatch our attention, we are often distracted by what is right in front of us. In a political climate where grand promises overshadow actual action, we fall for the fallacies of those constructing schemes under our noses. In a society where hate is taught and discriminatory actions are encouraged, it’s hard to see the love that is all around us. 

Within the last two weeks, many of the breaking news headlines have consisted of stories regarding Trump’s new consecutive order concerning “gender ideology,” which deemed there to be only two genders, which is biologically inaccurate and does not cause the presence of other genders to just “disappear” because they are being ignored; or there were headlines concerning the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which was an aggressive action to restore names that “honor American greatness”, according to President Trump’s Executive Order 14172. Which, when not sugar-coated, means that it’s the first step in a mass effort to erase the history of migrants and foreigners that made this country “great” in the first place.

These news headlines are designed to catch our attention, instruct riots, and tug at the pessimistic emotions of average American citizens. But hate and anger don’t have to be driving forces. There is so much we can learn through actions of love and kindness which will get us farther in life than living through hate and ignorance. While these headlines may be tempting to gravitate towards, evaluating your news sources is the first step in being savvy media critics. If you find yourself indulging in overly persuasive or “too-good-to-be-true” headlines that clearly indicate biased and inaccurate reporting, you may want to step back and consider what is facts and what is fabrication. On top of becoming more media literate, there are personal changes and actions you can implement in your everyday life to promote inclusivity and positivity. 

Studies show that being nice to others increases the release of “feel good” chemicals in your brain such as dopamine and serotonin, which not only makes those around you happier but makes you happier as well. These kinds of actions can include standing up if you hear incorrect rumors (even if you’re the only one standing, pave the way), complimenting someone on something unique, observing the cultures and customs of those around you to live a more diverse and understanding lifestyle, or simply being an open ear to all opinions and takes. We all can fight adversity through actions that reflect affection and warmth, proving that love will always win.