Under the current executive administration, college students across the country have expressed deep concern and apprehension about what the future holds. From the potential dismantling of the Department of Education to stripping back DEI programs, it is not easy to be a college student when you feel powerless in the relentless changes in the U.S.
“I am worried about the future of education and my fellow students who may not be able to afford to go to college for four years,” said history and political science major Ellie Umstead ‘28. “Education should be a human right and it disturbs me the lengths the Trump administration will go to take that right away from United States citizens.”
Still, that does not mean we need to remain powerless in our feelings. As divided as the country is, now more than ever, we need mutual solace and, of course, community. There has been a lot of emphasis placed on community. Not only do we as students need to be politically in tune with our world but empathetically in tune with others. There are ways to channel deep-seated frustration or confusion, whether it’s on-campus activism, creating student-led discussion groups, or even just spreading awareness to an uninformed friend or two.
Engaging in politics can be deeply exhausting. With current events, I have learned to balance the influx of information while not overwhelming myself. After all, I am still a student with academic responsibilities and, more importantly, a human being. That’s why I confine political engagement to quick morning podcasts like NPR’s Up First, one to two news articles, or discussions in certain clubs and organizations.
Meetings for The Comenian are my favorite place to express political frustrations and learn more about executive orders and program changes that I may not be as informed or familiar with. I’ve also learned how important it is to listen and take a backseat once in a while to hear how others interpret the state of our country; even if I disagree, I want to grant others a chance to explain their rationale – admittingly, this isn’t always easy to do.
On a similar note, I want to mention that it is valid to be frustrated with those who do not care for politics or aren’t “expressive enough” with their views. I have friends who either did not vote in our last election or just do not seem to care to engage with politics – it is undoubtedly disheartening, but I had to learn that it is out of their volition. At least, they know that politics can be thorny and complex, rather than blindly following one side of the political spectrum only because that is what everyone else around them aligns with.
I attended part four of the “Where Do We Go From Here?” Friday Forum series, moderated by Dr. Chris Hunt, Vice President and Dean of Inclusive Excellence, and Dr. Claudia Mesa, professor of Spanish and Cohen Chair in English and Literature. There, I attentively listened to the deans and professors wanting to shed light on helping students navigate new federal policies.
Leah M. Naso, Dean for Compliance, Training, and Development, strongly recommended going through Reeves Library to search for well-informed political sources and journals for context and different perspectives on federal policies. Additionally, she recommended using a bias checker such as AllSides when looking into media bias and reliable publications.
Dr. Joon-Beom Chu, assistant professor of anthropology, discussed immigration and how to be prepared if you encounter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. This includes avoiding vulnerable places such as bars and nightclubs. They recommended carrying documentation such as a copy of your birth certificate, school records, lawful entry documents, green cards, and work permits.
He also recommended looking at websites such as Informed Immigrant and Immigration Law Help to provide immigrants with legal services as well as the ICE Detainee Locator for those unsure about their loved ones’ statuses or whereabouts.
Even during trying times, we can achieve so much just by voicing our concerns and creating a domino effect within our communities. I think people underestimate the things that can be done at a local level, so pay attention to where you live. Attend a city council meeting and know who your representatives are. Call your local politicians if you are concerned about new legislation or want to voice your frustration about social problems.
Again, this is not a time to feel hopeless nor is it the time to constantly be in an echo chamber of our own political beliefs. It is a time to really learn about American politics if we want to root out the current systemic, national issues that will heavily affect the next four years.
