By Jabori
When people say America is “bad,” it’s not really about one person or one moment. It’s deeper than that. As teens, we’re growing up in a time where we’re starting to ask real questions, and one of those questions is how did things get like this? America didn’t just become this way overnight. It was built on decisions, systems, and choices that go all the way back to the beginning. And if we’re being honest, some parts of history are easier for people to talk about than others, especially when it comes to African American history. We can’t ignore events like the Transatlantic Slave Trade and slavery. Those weren’t just moments in history; they shaped this country in major ways. For hundreds of years, Black people were treated as property, not as human beings. And even after slavery ended, equality didn’t just appear. Systems like the Jim Crow era continued to create barriers, and honestly, some of those struggles still feel real today. The truth is, many of these systems were created by people in power who made decisions that only benefited people who looked like them. And the impact of those decisions didn’t disappear; they carried over into the world we’re living in now.
But it’s not just about the past.
Today, leaders, corporations, and even everyday people all play a role in shaping America. When leaders care more about power than people, or when companies prioritize money over fairness, it leads to real issues like poverty, lack of healthcare, and unequal education. And when people stay silent about injustice, it allows those problems to continue. At the same time, it’s important to understand that not everyone is part of the problem. There are people, past and present, who have fought and continued to fight for justice, equality, and change. Movements for civil rights and fairness show us that there is still hope. So, who caused America to be “bad”? It’s not just one group or one generation. It’s a mix of history, broken systems, lack of education, and people choosing to look the other way. But here’s the most important part, from a teen’s perspective:
If people had the power to create these problems, then we would have the power to change them. Our voices matter. Our actions matter. And our generation has a responsibility to stand up, speak out, and push for something better. Because making America “great” shouldn’t mean going backward—it should mean making sure everyone has the opportunity to be great.
