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Gatepost Editorial Board

The Gatepost Editorial: You can make change in between elections

By The Gatepost Editorial Board As The Gatepost Editorial Board reflected on the election, many of us felt overwhelmed and hopeless as we watched the Republican Party win a majority of seats in the U.S. House and Senate, along with the Presidential contest. We know many others on our campus share these feelings, and therefore, we want to stress that it is still important to remain engaged in our local and state governments even though the presidential race is over. We can still enact change on the local level if we are persistent in our fight for a better future. We understand many feel disappointed in the results and may believe there is nothing they can do that will have any impact in the long run, but now is not the time to give up. These strong emotions that people are feeling should be channeled to fight harder to ensure our voices are heard. Especially now, when issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights are at risk with a president and vice president who have pledged to strip support for both, our voices are necessary to ensure these rights remain protected at the local and state levels. There are several ways you can become involved with government at the local and state levels. You have the right to vote and you should exercise that right at every opportunity. Elections do not just occur when there is a presidential candidate on the ballot. They are scheduled more frequently than you might think. State elections occur every two years. During these elections, you can vote for who you want to represent your community at the State House. Local elections can occur at various times during any year. It is important to stay up to date on when elections are happening in your community. Elections that occur in your city or town are where change that could most directly impact you is enacted. Even when elections are not occuring, there are still ways to remain politically engaged on campus. You can get involved with the Civic Engagement and Service Learning Center in the CIE. According to the mission statement of the center, “Through equitable and reciprocal partnerships with campus organizations and community partners, we address pressing social, political, economic, health, and environmental changes of our times.” The Civic Engagement Center is the perfect place to start if you are unsure how to get involved. The staff works with faculty and student organizations to run events designed to promote civic engagement on campus. You can take relevant courses in political science, sociology, or history, among other departments. The political science department offers many courses that explain the structures and processes of government. These courses can help you better understand exactly what your political involvement can accomplish. The sociology department offers many courses focused on social issues in America and what solutions are needed to resolve them. American history courses can explain how we got to where we are today. Educating yourself about American history, politics, and society is a great way to become more engaged with how our country works and how you as an individual can become more civically involved. Framingham State is a liberal arts university where students have the opportunity to take elective courses that are not in their majors. You have control over your education and can choose classes that support your major goals and participation as an active member of society. With registration underway, now is the perfect time for students who are interested in learning more about these issues to register for a relevant class next semester. Consider taking “Social Problems” or “Social Class” if you want to take a course about American society. Consider taking “Public Policy Analysis” or “Race, Politics, and the Law” if you would prefer a course focused on the structures of American politics. To get involved off campus, look into local committees for political action. The Massachusetts Democratic Party website offers several opportunities for involvement in Democratic politics. The party hosts events, promotes local job opportunities, and creates a shared space for members of the Democratic Party to come together and find community. According to their website, “When we empower people to organize their local communities, we can change our Commonwealth and our country for the better.” The Massachusetts GOP website also offers a host of opportunities for local Republicans to get involved with their party. No matter your political party or personal feelings about this election, it is essential to engage in local politics. Many changes can and will be made throughout the four years between the presidential elections. Don’t you want to be a part of those changes? As young voters, we have to work to make our voices heard and seize all the opportunities available to us. Don’t slack on your political involvement!

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