College Bound 2012
Solidarity
By Elizabeth Horner 

Every time we breathe or take a gulp of air, we absorb a piece of history. It seems unbelievable but particles of the same air that escaped the mouth of Queen Elizabeth I, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Annie Oakley, Dr. Jose Rizal, and countless other outstanding individuals, are journeying through our own bodies right now.  The same substances that gave them life help sustain you--- us--- the world today. 

So when I think of issues of solidarity --- of “harmony”, “cohesion”, and “shared aims”, my first gut reaction is while human beings are all different and we will not always agree on what goals are worth pursuing, or the best methods for executing them --- I will venture to say that there is a force stronger than all that --- the invisible air bonding us to the rest of humanity, inextricably and forever.  

We are connected by the invisible bonds of our ancestry, our humanity, by the patriotism we feel towards our birthplace, certain causes, and even by the very air we breathe.  If we can only open our eyes to that truth, I see elements for peace and solidarity. 

Every person--- their strengths and weaknesses--- contribute to their whole. One molecule of oxygen represents an entire planet’s supply of oxygen.  The struggles within a small group of people are exemplars for other, larger conflicts.  These are basic truths. 

When the Greenville High School Debate Club members get together in a flurry of excited voices and long-harbored opinions, it is often difficult--- impossible--- to decide one clear-cut winner. Perhaps, it is because no one’s beliefs are without value, no one’s passionate response should be ignored, and no one should feel left out of the group to which they play a vital role.  Instead, we endeavor to reach a compromise that incorporates some, if not all, of everybody’s most salient points.  If that is not possible, then we at least walk away with a healthy respect for the individuals whose ideas we could not quite settle with. 

As I say goodbye to Greenville High to spend time in my new college home, I will do my best to carry the same lessons from my Debate Club and apply them wherever I go.  Conciliation and negotiation are stuff of the real world and real life. Finding solidarity within a family, a group, a county, a nation, our human race --- means acknowledging the fact that the ground will not always be… well, as solid as we want it to be. It is only by taking and giving that we will stop ourselves from hurtling over one edge or another. We will have to absorb new thoughts and let go of some old ones in order to keep the cycle of life going. 

Remember--- the air we are breathing and expelling today will work its way through the generations and become a part of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s time. We want to leave behind a legacy of fairness, reasonableness, and understanding that will make them proud to know we are all linked together--- that will actually solidify the already unbreakable bonds. There should be a marriage of great ideas.  Let’s all have a breath of fresh air each time, for the sake and health of our family, group, county, nation, and --- our human race!