Xtras

IX. Disappointment

It was the day after the elections. The air was thick with anticipation and anxiety as the community awaited the results. The election had seen a mix of candidates, some driven by a genuine desire to serve and others merely riding the wave of popularity. It was a classic battle of fame versus capabilities.

Among the candidates were several dedicated student leaders and youth leaders, individuals who were full of passion, determination, and a hunger for good governance. They had worked tirelessly, not for recognition or popularity, but because they genuinely cared about the welfare of their community. Their campaigns were not flashy or ostentatious, but they were sincere and grounded in a deep understanding of the challenges their community faced.

However, as the election results started trickling in, a disheartening pattern emerged. Those who had won were not necessarily the most qualified or the most passionate, but they were the most popular. The student leaders and youth leaders who had worked so hard and had so much to offer were overlooked, their potential left unrecognized.

I felt a surge of disappointment and frustration. How could this be? How could popularity overshadow capabilities? How could fame triumph over a genuine desire to serve? It was a bitter pill to swallow, a harsh reminder of the toxic trait that plagues our community - the tendency to value fame over capabilities.

Yet, this situation served as a wakeup call. It was a stark reminder that we, as a community, need to reassess our values. We need to recognize the importance of quality over quantity, of capabilities over fame. We need to understand that popularity is fleeting, but the impact of good governance is lasting.

It's time to shift our focus. It's time to value the passion, the dedication, and the drive that these overlooked student leaders possess. It's time to give credit where credit is due, to acknowledge the efforts of those who may not be popular, but are more than capable.

The story doesn't end here. It's a call to action, a plea for change. We need to learn from this experience and strive to create a community where merit is valued over popularity, where every voice is heard, and where every individual gets a fair chance to make a difference. Because at the end of the day, it's not about who's the most popular, but who can bring about the most positive change.