On Friday, dozens of students gathered at the UVA Amphitheater to protest President-elect Donald Trump. The walkout occurred out of growing discontent and concern among the student body of potentially dangerous consequences that a second Trump presidency may have on the state of the global climate. At first, the protesters were congregated in a rather condensed area, which spread out as their numbers multiplied. Many were visibly upset.
This event is indicative of a growing sentiment on Grounds since Wednesday morning—one that, in many ways, is reasonable to those who are confused and irritated that the election did not go the way they would have liked. However, this sentiment seems to cross a line when protesters began to question the validity of the election. The process of our democracy is one in which one side will always lose an election. In this case, the majority of the student body of UVA has fallen into such a category. Many students feel betrayed by their fellow citizens across the country as the presidential election showed a swing to the right that few could have anticipated.
In protesting the results of the election, these students feel that they are simply demonstrating their disappointment with the upcoming inauguration. While students have every right to express their dismay in this fashion, the fact is that the citizens of this country must learn to accept circumstances as they are, and actively work to better them. For people on both sides of these elections, Americans have begun to place blame where none belongs. Spreading awareness of climate issues and expressing fear that these issues might worsen over the next four years are acceptable and valuable things to do. But to deny what this nation truly has chosen for itself, and to throw blame from person to person—these are actions that stand to gain very little.
In her concession speech, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of accepting the election results. However, Harris affirmed that she would never stop fighting for what she believes in, and urged her supporters to keep up that same fight. The New York Times quotes Harris as saying, “You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world. And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
Just like these protesters, many students grapple with the reality of our politics, while others rejoice over it, but the question all of us must ask, as Vice President Harris says, is how we can really make a difference in this country. Everyone at UVA has a remarkable opportunity to set themselves up for success in whatever field they choose. We can all make a more substantial impact than we realize. An opportunity like this likely comes only once in a lifetime, and students at this university must act on it.
The opinions expressed within this piece represent the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jefferson Independent.
Excellent article. As a secondary government teacher I advised my students that they have to be involved in their community, state, country, and world on a daily basis not just Election Day every four years.