BY OWAIN GULLAM
The last months have seen American politics reach their most American point, but beyond it all the political parties have been having parties. August was convention month.
In the conventions, the nominee for each party is formally chosen. Trump and Biden will be the candidates to pitch for election in November.
Kamila Harris becomes the first Black Vice Presidential pick, and the third female of all time, for either party.
Despite Trump’s recent record and public consensus on his handling of the pandemic, Democrats are still facing an uphill battle. The US Postal Service has been financially crippled by Trump’s allies, making it harder for advanced voting to occur. Republicans have also had 7 years to redraw the electoral map, making key states harder to win for Democrats.
The Republican party is making it harder for people to vote (and admitting it). Lower voter turnout has historically made it easier for them to win.
Why does this matter?
In Plymouth some might feel that we can have little impact on big events. So what actually matters?
What matters is how we show solidarity during times we may feel helpless at something happening so far away.
To turn our words and our sentiments into actions is an empowering trait to have.
Trump won his first term, and was due to visit London and speak to the Houses of Parliament. The world rose in solidarity with those he persecuted and victimised, our leaders disallowed Trump an exciting a visit to the UK.
Trump still arrived and went sight-seeing, with very little fanfare compared to what Obama had received previously.
It was the power of the people that forced the British government to change the plans and not give respect to a leader that isn’t particularly liked.
Making Change During Lockdown
During COVID, fighting the good fight has become harder, with lobbying groups having to find new ways to use and exert their influence and inform the masses to garner support in the corridors of power.
Examples of this include the National Union of Students (NUS) and National Education Union (NEU) banding together over Zoom with MPs and representatives from educational boards in the wake of the A-Level results fiasco. The results were amended to be representative of the student’s work.
This Autumn the Democrats and Republicans are to be pitted against each-other in an election which is being described as a fight for the soul of America. Passion in politics is admirable yet students are accused of just not having it.
Students and young people are brilliant at generating interest by creating passion and intrigue for a subject using engaging and informative stories shared on Instagram and Facebook. This creation of awareness is amazing, but let’s be blunt, it’s not always enough.
What can you do?
So much more can be done (that doesn’t involve donating all the time). Here are a few ways in which you can get involved in being the change you call for:
- Writing to your MP: Sometimes this actually works. MPs offices can’t ignore thousands of letters, so if enough people are passionate enough about something, then it will make a point in the conversation to those in power.
- Campaign & Protest: Plymouth has seen this on numerous occasions for many things in the past years, from the BLM Movements to Extinction Rebellion Marches, along with the occasional religious dude shouting Jesus loves you. This always sparks a conversation, which is a first step. (Campaigning should be done safely within COVID guidelines.)
- Boycott: This passive method has crippled some businesses and franchises in the past, and despite popular belief, it isn’t just a call for change, it forces change.
- Do or Do not, there is no Try: Arguing for/against something is one step, doing it is another. If it can be done and should be done, do it! (If it’s something that shouldn’t be done, prevent it!)
- Take a break: It’s ok to not be a social justice warrior infinitely. If it gets too much, being moderate and walking away for a little bit isn’t a bad thing. Look after yourself.