In 2025, the question of America’s direction feels more pressing than ever. The answer, unsurprisingly, is complicated. America is a nation marked by tension and transition, but also by a growing determination among young people to shape what comes next.
Opinions vary widely on the current state of the country and its most pressing issues. Sinclair College students shared their thoughts on how they view America and its future.
Jamal Alkhateeb
Jamal Alkhateeb, a political science major, notes several issues that he believes to be a growing concern in America.
“The current government and ICE, people have grown more antagonistic to it. There is also anti-intellectualism that is apparent. If you look at people’s ability to reason on platforms like Twitter and others, it is not very high,” Alkhateeb said.
Despite the widespread grim outlooks, Alkhateeb remains optimistic on America’s future.
“Perhaps in the next two to three years, some policies, and the way that they are implemented might gain popularity. Since the U.S. somewhat operates off of models, local government will do something, and it will gain popularity. Maybe the Democrats will borrow from Mamdani and his messaging,” Alkhateeb said.
Joshua Aziamanyo
Joshua Aziamanyo, a computer science major at Sinclair, says that market volatility is America’s most pressing issue.
“Prices are highly unstable right now, I think that is what directly affects Americans right now,” Aziamanyo said.
Aziamanyo is of the opinion that America needs time and patience to rebuild the future they want.
“America is in a transition phase. Regardless of how drastic and rushed some of the recent policies may seem, the new administration needs to be afforded time and patience to bring their visions to fruition. Then only can we correctly judge,” Aziamanyo said.
Nae LeRoy
Nae LeRoy, a psychology major at Sinclair, cites the recent ICE raids and immigration enforcement activities as America’s most pressing issue.
“Everything that’s happening with ICE; it’s disgusting and I feel like it’s not talked about enough,” LeRoy said.
LeRoy also revealed her admiration for people being targeted by the immigration enforcement activities.
“They need more grace because they are here doing more than the average American would do. The type of jobs they do, the average American would not want to do that. I thought this was the land of the free, why does it take like twenty years for somebody to come here? It makes no sense at all,” LeRoy said.
LeRoy remained somewhat unsure about America’s future in the coming years.
“In three years, everything is going to be fresh. We are going to start moving different, but in twenty years, there is always somebody coming,” LeRoy said.
Caleb Bretz
Caleb Bretz is a social sciences major at Sinclair. He feels that the U.S. is in a stage where its position has to be reevaluated.
“With all that is happening right now, I think maybe it is about time we rethink our status as a world superpower,” Bretz said.
Bretz cited the direct harassment of academics as a problem America needs to stop.
“My sociology professor received some sort of pressing and pressure from conservative student organizations for discussing racial and gender issues her sociology classes,” Bretz said.
Bretz also notes an increasing and worrying agenda of dividing people across ethnic lines as opposed to a push for unity and togetherness.
“We are seeing an increase in a lot of rhetoric that the central idea is that people do not want to live together,” Bretz said, “People see individual ethnic boundaries as more important than civic or national boundaries. So, I think the most pressing issue for America’s immediate future is deciding for itself which boundaries it believes are more important.”
Nukuh Semor Akwetey, reporter
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