Presidential Elections: Raise Your Voice
By Marina Avilova ’22
“I don’t care about politics. I just don’t think it affects me.” If there was ever a time that this sentiment made no sense at all, it would be right now.
This year has been a test for the government. It highlighted the defects of our healthcare system with the pandemic, outlined the flaws of our police system, forced us to grapple with the systemic racism in modern American society and made underlying disparities more apparent than ever. Worse still, the Trump administration has proved itself inadequate at solving these problems.
Ignoring the Nov. 3 elections is the dreaded epitome of “knowledge without goodness.” Now, more than ever, is a time for us to rethink our political lives as Exonians and step into the arena if we don’t want things to get even worse.
Exeter is generally a liberal space. But that doesn’t mean everyone on campus is forced into becoming some liberal activist. The varying levels of political activity both from teachers and students show, of course, that believing in an idea doesn’t necessarily mean striving for it. The same can be said about Republicans on campus. We don’t have to be involved in politics. Regardless of what they are, however, Exonians should act if they care.
Granted, Exeter is an independent organization and the next president will not abolish the Harkness method. However, if Trump is re-elected to a second term, we would have far worse things to deal with. Even more people would die from COVID-19 while Trump glosses over the situation. Marginalized identities would face further persecution. Climate change would continue to be disregarded. After the recent death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, his re-election would guarantee a new conservative justice on the Supreme Court, cementing a hard-right majority. His unconstitutional attacks on vital legislation like Obamacare would see the light of day. Donald Trump’s second term will cost lives.
But it doesn’t have to happen.
Although Biden may be more center-leaning, and though progressive Democrats might not be his most enthusiastic supporters, it is still important to do everything we can to prevent Trump from keeping the wheel. This is in no way a magical solution to all the challenges of 2020. The Democratic Party, however, under the leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, promises to fight for healthcare access, criminal justice reform, environmental action and loads more. To at least have a hope, we need to spread the word, to engage in canvassing and, if eligible, to vote.
The pandemic does hinder student voting processes. In-person voting on Election Day might not be an option as of now, since students aren’t allowed off campus yet. The official website of the town of Exeter says you are eligible for mail-in votes if “you cannot appear at any time during polling hours at my polling place because an employment obligation requires you to remain physically at work or to be in transit to or from work from the time the polls open until after the time the polls close.”
If the current state of things does not change, voting may be difficult, but please exercise your right if you can. There are many of us who cannot yet, but stand eager and waiting to do so. If you are one of those people, you still have a voice. Talk to the people you know. Talk to the people you don’t know. Talk (and vote!) like the future of this country depends on it—because it does.