Fox News and National Public Radio political analyst Juan Williams addressed the campus of Fresno City College on Thursday, bringing with him conviction and a clear vision for America’s youth.

“Don’t let them sell you the sleeping pill,” was the main message as Williams delivered an inspiring and spiritual speech titled “America Picks a President.”

For a very long time, according to Williams, voting was the very last thing on the minds of young adults in America. As a result, American youth have historically been ignored during presidential campaigns. In the wake of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, according to the Center for Research and Information on Civic Learning and Engagement, many more youth are participating in the political process.

“There are people out there that try to sell you a sleeping pill and tell you that you can’t make a difference,” he said.

Williams attempted to cure the “my vote doesn’t count” syndrome that many American youth seem to have, saying that people who get involved in the political process and people who vote do in fact make a difference.

“You’d better believe that we wouldn’t have the choice between Barack Obama and Senator McCain if it were simply a matter of leaving it up to the old political establishment in this country,” said Williams to the crowd.

In a press conference held shortly before the speech, Williams also pointed out that the bulk of Obama’s support in the Democratic primaries came from young white people. This was during a time when Obama’s “Blackness” was being questioned throughout the African tAmerican community.

Williams even credited Obama’s candidacy largely to the involvement of American youth. “If it weren’t for young people who really identified with his ideals and have become a part of his campaign, Barack Obama would not be the Democratic party nominee.”

Throughout his speech, Williams urged students to pay attention to the issues and think of themselves in reference to the election. He stressed that we’re at a pivotal point in history and that politics is a “hard ball game.”

“You have the potential to be agents of change starting with this election,” Williams told those students in attendance, “You have to be the kind of people that know they’re about to make a difference.”

Williams made the case that the older generation is the one that takes action such as watching the news, reading it, giving money to political campaigns and getting involved in the political process. This means that their issues are the issues, and that those of the youth and young adults have been secondary.

“You don’t vote,” explained Williams, “so politicians don’t have to pay attention.”

Williams said emphatically, “It’s your decision, your mistake.”

FCC student Brian Errington, 19, who attended the speech, said he was especially touched by Williams’ words. “I felt really bad after the speech was over,” Errington admitted, “I’ve definitely got to go get registered!”

Williams also addressed the women in attendance pointing out that there has been an incredible shift in political power and asked them to pay attention to the fact that campaigns have been targeting networks and shows with large female audiences. “Women who get out and vote are going to determine the outcome of this election,” said Williams.

Williams also spoke of his involvement with Nelson Mandela and highlighted Mandela’s accomplishments telling students, “I hope that you don’t swallow the sleeping pill that not only steals your energy, but steals your potential to make a difference and to be a voice in this election.”

Williams discussed the Montgomery bus boycott of the ’50s, and the example of Rosa Parks and the women’s political council saying, “People who come together and organize, who realize their own power are the ones who make a difference.”

Williams even invoked the memory of the late Dr. Martin Luther King saying “The power that exists when we come together brings the spirit of Dr. King to life.”

Williams delivered a powerful and moving speech. His words will undoubtedly put politics and the election on the minds of those who heard them. “This is much more than a race between two individuals; it’s really a map of who we are as Americans.”