I am the special kind of person where, instead of putting on a TV show when I’m working, I watch videos of House committee hearings — most recently, videos of politicians discussing the behavior of Kristi Noem.
I, like the 58% of Americans who think Noem should be removed from office, appreciate politicians using their positions of power for good. In a time when only 35% of Americans feel somewhat to very satisfied with the current state of the nation, we need more political figures to show us that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that we, too, can make a difference.
Watching the news is often not the best way to boost morale, especially during our current era of uncertainty. When listening to podcasts or reading articles, we don’t know what to expect; it could be anything from new U.S. actions in foreign waters to more violence against our neighbors.
However, this past year, Democrat leaders across the country were loud and clear about their disdain for the behavior of the Trump administration. Whether related to the economy, international affairs or immigration, politicians are not staying silent.
This includes figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. While some argue that these politicians only work to further the divide in American politics, they could not be more wrong. One thing that makes each of these leaders stand out is that they are using their voices to amplify public sentiment, not further their own agendas.
Take Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, for example. After the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Frey called out the lies spewing from the Trump administration and went so far as to tell ICE to, “Get the f— out of Minneapolis,” during a press conference. This moment drew Frey criticism from some and a great amount of support from others. What sets this moment apart is that it is inherently human. When we see someone such as Frey sharing the same emotions and feelings of anger, it proves we’re not alone.
We are barely into over a year of Trump’s second term as president, and there have been more controversies than one can count. The people of this country are upset, and now is a moment where politicians have the power to do what is right and stand behind the citizens they serve.
Now, this isn’t to praise or idolize politicians; as always, we should continue to critique their actions and make sure they are doing their duties as public servants. Ultimately, the real difference lies in us.
This past year, there has been a historic amount of protests across the country with thousands of participants, including UA’s own anti-ICE and pro-Palestine protests. Even this month, high schoolers across the country have staged their own walkouts and protests. One Baltimore County protest found a deeper meaning when one of the high schoolers’ fathers had been detained by ICE, and since then his online fundraiser has already made more than $20,000 — proving that you do not have to be an elected official to start a movement and create your own change.
At times, the current state of our country and our world can make us feel utterly helpless. As college students, we’re often told to keep our heads down and get our education instead of speaking out, but these do not have to be mutually exclusive. While politicians speaking out for justice is commendable, our job is not over yet. These politicians are but the glimmer of hope that we can use to inspire our own bright future.
