TIME CHANGES ALL — Amy Mann thinks that looking into the future while learning from the past will create progress. John F. Kennedy once said that change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future and that progress as a nation can be no swifter than progress in education.

As the country overcame one of the toughest election years, it’s important to take a moment to step back and view the progress the nation has made and to see what can create further progress in the future. Progress can only be possible if everyone strives to locally improve on many different levels and ideas.

David Kolbe, Democratic Chairperson of Kosciusko County and attorney, glances back over the past hundred years to view the issues and routes that were taken to bring the country where it is today. In his views and experience, he speaks over how most progress can be witness within gender equality, international relations and civil rights.

“We’re going back to 1916. It’s hard to believe in that year, women did not have the right to vote. We had to face the attempt to reenact slavery. We went from an isolationist country to leader of the free world,” reflected Kolbe. “There came some very brave courageous people (Martin Luther King Jr.) who were willing to say, ‘I have a different vision of this country and this vision is that we judge people not on the basis of their race, skin color or gender but on the content of their character.’”

Kolbe, who has traveled overseas to various countries, commented that America’s openness to other nations isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of strength that is admired. To Kolbe, there are no ‘good old days’, a term that causes people to look back and fear change from what they’ve known. The world will always change and the people who are wanting a change need only to look into a mirror.

“It’s important to realize that America is a unique nation,” commented Amy Mann, from the Warsaw Library. “We are like no one else in history. We have an opportunity to use our experience and knowledge to be a light to other nations. That doesn’t mean we can’t look at what other countries are doing and see if they can work for us.”

Some of the best ways to keep working towards being a better nation and local community is to help others by listening and being involved. Mann volunteers weekly at the soup kitchen, meeting and speaking with new people who all have a unique story. Volunteering or working to do something meaningful creates progress by promoting kindness. Being involved opens doors, where people interact with others from different backgrounds which creates a better understanding and openness towards humanity and compassion.

“Our job should be to stop criticizing and to lead by example. Embrace change and just learn how to be better,” suggested Kolbe as he commented on listening to the younger generations. Younger generations are often dismissed as immature, yet have proven to be extremely self-educated over concerns for this election year. It is important to realize that as the country continues to grow to be better, the people should learn to know how to be better and do better.

While progress portrays a straight line, the path traveled waivers on and off course. There are have been good steps taken towards progression as well as grave injustices committed. It is important to recognize these injustices and learn from them so they cannot repeat themselves. The past may be observed and learned from, but the answer doesn’t lie there.