Why College Folk Should be more Politically Active

In doing research for my extended story on political participation on campus, I’ve found, as suspected, that college students at-large—not just on Wittenberg—are relatively politically apathetic. They participate less in protests; they pay attention to foreign affairs less; they distrust political institutions more; and they turnout to vote in incredibly low numbers. Harvard University Research Institute of Politics shows this last trend is highly amplified in mid-term elections (which are rapidly approaching us).

There are many other lofty, civic-responsibility reasons—as well as more pertinent justice issues—that should drive college students to be more involved in electoral politics, but I think it’s much more useful and compelling to point out the issues that are immediately in the interests of current college students:

1.)  Student Loans Reform

I’m sure that reading the first two words of the above sub-title made you cringe; it makes everyone in college—especially those at a private one—cringe. Indeed, last year, the average four-year college graduate finished with $33,000 in student loan debts. This is insane. And it bears repeating: this. is. insane. This amount of debt can have serious implications on our health, happiness, and, of course, economics circumstances. It can coerce us into taking jobs we don’t want simply so we are able to make loan payments.  

But, certainly, we are note without hope. In fact, Elizabeth Warren (D-Ma.)—along with many other Democrats—is currently pressing really hard in the Senate to pass legislation that would reduce the interest rates on loans. Alas, not a complete fix (for that, see below)—but a start indeed.

2.)  Relatedly: free college.

As illustrated above, college is incredibly expensive, yet almost absolutely necessary for obtaining a J-O-B. But, more importantly, higher education is fulfilling in and of itself; it is, indeed, a public good—and a good that shouldn’t be accessible based on your socioeconomic background, and a good that shouldn’t cripple our generation in debt. Therefore, let’s make it free. Germany offers an example of how this can be actualized.

3.)  Net-Neutrality

           

As we’ve talked about in class: huge corporate interests are pushing to make the internet less free, equal, diffuse, and accessible. If this happened, it would disproportionately the millennial generation, of whom use and rely on the internet much more for news, work, and entertainment.

4.)  LGBTQA Rights

College-aged adults have been much more likely to support same-sex marriage, and recent court rulings have put even more steam behind the already-fast paced same-sex marriage movement, in which college students have been highly charged about. While this social justice issue is important, there are many other areas of discrimination and prejudice that need to be eradicated. Here in Springfield, for example, we have three city Commissioners who voted against equal protection under the city’s human rights code for LGBTQTA people in terms of workplace and housing discrimination. In other words, people in the LGBTQA community are susceptible to being fired or evicted for being who they are; I’ve documented earlier who is largely responsible for this: surprise—they’re elected officials.

So, get out and vote; organize through an issue group; or even occupy a police station, as our economic future, access to one of the most important technology of our time, and even the quality of life of LGBTQA people—may all depend on it.