My idea of politics and the purpose of governance is centered on making the world a better place — or at least improving our perspective on the future.

A white man’s world is entirely a social construct, and the Trump administration has only pushed an agenda contingent with a white man’s world. Don’t get me wrong — this is not a racial or gendered attack on anyone, but much of the populous, including myself, is ignored from the structural institutions in power.

I want to reiterate my prior rhetoric: I believe we can eradicate the elevation of any group to the only political majority through consistently advocating for equality and social justice on all fronts.

We must remind the men in power that we are all equal, and we deserve to see this reflected in policy. This idea mostly reinforces that we can impact the world in which we live; we must at least keep trying in this disheartening time.

We cannot concede to President Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and a Supreme Court with the interests of corporations in the forefront.

Human nature and Darwinistic principles are often used to justify the selfishness of congressional Republicans — to justify the lack of concern for those who cannot take advantage of capitalism in the same way that doctors, lawyers and CEOs have been able to.

Power in relation to life displays itself in the form of prestige, monetary value and violence.

From my naive point of view, power should come from merit — from actual skill. I know: Who would have thought?

Despite this, however, history reflects another story. For example, reflecting upon the rise to power of several dictators including Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, they all gained power through their proclivity to create violence with an ultimate agenda.

Rather than gaining power through intellect or an ability to naturally lead, these men chose more cowardly methods in contrast to Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr. or Nelson Mandela, who gained followers by their own wills through expressing a peaceful desire to push their agendas for a better world.

Names we remember — such as theirs — deserve the utmost esteem for taking the difficult path to change. The type of power elicited contrast in that the former men acquired lethal, forced power as opposed to free will and humane power.

I remind you of these great men — Ghandi, King Jr. and Mandela — because we are seeing policy that reflects a decline of our rights as people and dignity as man.

Great leaders have come from hostile times such as that in which we are living. From my own experience in being so bogged down by the constant attacks on everything I care for, I emphasize the importance of finding ways to learn and build upon yourself because the qualities that define your character are your direct glimpse at hope.

We cannot fall into a narrow view, and we cannot stop caring about human beings rights by merely being born.

We are advantaged as Americans, even our lowest, and we must channel our rights to fight for those outside our country as well. Even at home, in having the perspective of our political minorities and citizens below the poverty line, we can create more humanitarian policy.

That fight feels much better than the fight for more money and power.

We cannot fall into another long-scale conservative time and be consumed by the constant repeal of policy we value. The point is we must take time from this destruction of democracy to preserve our hope and channel it in 2018 and 2020.

The minute you concede to the conservatives in power marks the decline of our continued movement for civil rights and social justice.

Hold onto your hope.

Madison Newingham is a columnist, contact her at [email protected].