Politics is at the forefront of campus conversation right now. The election of Donald Trump has inflicted a sense of hopelessness in people that, whilst understandable, can be incredibly alienating. The best way to relieve this disillusionment is to act! It’s easy to be sucked into party politics, stare at daunting news for too long or have trivial arguments online. But this doesn’t help anyone. Instead, how can you get involved in politics in a meaningful way at University?
One simple way; talk. Not with strangers online, but with family- even those who are tired of politics. Pull them back in and promote new dialogues. This consciousness-raising is invaluable as it is a way to include disenfranchised people who otherwise lack political education. Secondly, take advantage of being part of an academic institution, and read more. Learn the politics of lives different from yours and develop critical opinions.
Volunteering is also inherently political; it identifies flaws in our society and pushes you to take an active role in fixing them. In the most obvious way, it aids a practical goal, raising money for charity, clearing littered spaces, or feeding the homeless. Volunteering, however, also helps your own experience of real-time politics. My time working for Oxfam at home was the period in which I felt most connected to local thoughts, opinions, and troubles! I learnt what people wanted from the community and was forced to interact and deliberate with people I would not have spoken to otherwise. The University website has a section dedicated to volunteering opportunities (including in Oxfam) which is well worth taking a look at.
Vote! It’s simple, but whenever you can, exercise democracy, even for things that seem trivial. Yes, our voting system is structurally deficient, but it’s always worth participating. If not on a parliamentary level, voting for proposals or petitions is a way of using your voice – Edinburgh’s Amnesty Society, for example, is calling for people to read and sign their Human Rights and Free Speech on Campus open letter, go and have a read!
Boycotting is a passive way of being political. You can disengage with unethical brands, stop buying from fast fashion or refuse to watch content from harmful media sources. In a market that relies on supply and demand, we, as consumers, carry more weight than you’d think. If you want to feel more active, get out on the streets! Edinburgh hosts many peaceful protests, often organised on social media through hashtags or groups on Facebook. Alternatively, hop on EUSA and have a browse at the many political societies on offer.
Despite these suggestions, “being political” has often transcended into a loaded label that requires specific behaviour or allegiance to certain groups. In truth, I find that people are political every day in ways we neglect. Every time you negotiate with friends or act based on social needs, you’re practising direct democracy! Even taking the first step of asking how to get involved is a movement towards being an active, vocal citizen. Getting involved in politics need not be scary, but a liberating opportunity that we should seize alongside student life!
Photo by Duncan Shaffer on Unsplash