Okay, so we all know how extremely important voting is as a form of political participation, but now that the election is over, what do we do? Well, there is a lot that we can do to influence public policy and affect the future of our country. Almost everyone has an issue about which the feel very strongly. Perhaps this issue is civil rights or maybe social security. No matter what the issue is, you can have an influence on what happens with it in our country. Participation in social movements is often very effective. Much of what has been changed in our country has been the result of social or political movements, an example being the Civil Rights movement. The pressure placed on Congress by the Civil Rights movement led to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, both crucial accomplishments for the establishment of civil rights. Activism is what has made the United States what we are today. It was even present in 1773 with the Boston Tea Party, when a small group of patriots protested the tea tax that Britain had imposed on the Americans to show their authority. Today, we have different forms of participation, even simply initiating or participating in political conversation is important. We can also write to legislators, talk with public officials and encourage others to do the same. So, whatever issue you feel strongly about, take a stand. Apathy will get us nowhere.