America is known for its freedom, equality, and opportunities. With the rise of social media, politics has become a global phenomenon for everyone, especially younger generations.
On Friday, March 21st, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC, United States Representative) and Bernie Sanders (United States Senator) conducted a speech/rally at the Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver. I attended the event with the intention of wanting to know more about modern-day American politics. I was unaware that I would leave the event more liberated, educated, and motivated toward progressive change in American politics.
The speeches that the AOC and Sanders gave covered topics on modern-day issues; global warming, federal cuts, and government control. I have never shown interest in politics, but being a second-generation immigrant and queer individual, I’ve learned it’s important for me to be interested in politics as certain issues disproportionately affect individuals like me the most.
Being a high school student, especially a queer person of color, becomes more and more frightening in today’s society. Every day more articles, stories, and videos appear about the changes in government policies and their effect on the American people.
All the changes to these policies can be very intimidating.
As I grow up, and eventually go to college, start a career, and build my own family, seeing policies that directly challenge the success and path of my future scares me and many other youths.
One topic that Sanders highlighted in his speech is the Department of Education: cost/access to education. I intend to go to a college or university after high school to expand my knowledge. Therefore, the policies brought up today affect my education in the present and in the future. Sanders explained how crazy the cost of college is and I totally agree. Right now, higher-level education costs an arm and a leg, and it shouldn’t. An order was recently signed with the intent that it would take steps to abolish the Department of Education. The Department of Education has many responsibilities, among its responsibilities, it administers federal student aid programs and work-study funds and loans to more than 13 million students.
“If you come from a working-class family you want to go to Medical school. You’re going to come out of half a million in debt, that’s insane! We got to make public colleges and universities tuition-free,” Bernie Sanders said during the rally.
Without the Department of Education, not only would it be hard to pay for higher level education, but getting access to any education would be very difficult/expensive.
Another topic that was brought up in the AOC’s and Sanders’s speeches is government regulation, specifically oligarchy and fascism. Seeing the news today, especially around politics, is terrifying. There is so much hate, control, and discrimination seen throughout the country due to excessive government control.
I fear for the future.
I fear for the future not only because it’s the unknown, but seeing horror stories nowadays about people of color or queer individuals adds fuel to the fire of my fear. It brings up questions: What will my future look like? How can I afford college? Can I be myself freely? Am I even safe in this country?
With the change in our government leaders, we can see less power in the people and more in our leaders. The pillars of the Constitution are made from the idea that the people have prime power over the government, not a small group of people. Lots of decisions are made in politics today based on political candidates rather than the people’s opinions. We can’t control everything about the future, but we can guide it towards better inclusivity, equality, and unity. AOC and Bernie Sanders preached that We The People are stronger together, more brave as a whole, and can create a better and brighter future if we use our voices.
AOC and Sanders might be the leaders that guide our society into a better future, but ultimately we are the ones that create impactful change.
