Since President Donald Trump was sworn into office for a second time, we as a nation have witnessed many violations of our constitutional and democratic rights. We have seen people deported to foreign prisons without due process, funding cut from research and institutions, censorship of the White House press corps, the erasure of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the disbanding of government agencies, Elon Musk’s rise to political power as an unelected billionaire and, especially visible on this campus, the rampant attacks on transgender people including the policing of bathrooms. 

I know people care, but I think at Kenyon, we aren’t willing to put in the effort to make a real difference. Our community is politically liberal, yet our campus does not foster an environment that makes people feel comfortable taking risks and getting political. As a community, we should challenge one another to become more than a performative political identity and make a habit of actively pursuing change.  

I see the most political discourse on various forms of social media, especially tapping through Instagram stories and scrolling on Yik Yak. Online, people express their concerns, but I don’t feel like I see that when walking around campus. While digital platforms might help to encourage someone to share their thoughts, the impersonal nature of social media prevents it from facilitating productive conversations in real life. Yik Yak in particular can become a negative space that divides rather than unites our community, and seldom translates speech into real-life action. Although posting can make you feel like you are participating in a protest, it can be performative when it becomes a substitute for important work outside of social media. As a community we need to find more ways to convert online discussion into real-world action. 

Apart from social media, it can be difficult to find ways to engage in conversations surrounding current events. It feels like a social taboo to bring current events into classroom discussions. It can be very difficult to speak in class without fear of being judged for being incorrect. The danger of this dynamic is that people are afraid to share their thoughts openly, preventing engagement with the current state of things. When having conversations with friends, I feel comfortable expressing my worry, anxiety and even frustration, but I often find myself commiserating rather than becoming compelled to act. Class should be the setting in which people can become vocal about the issues that matter to them in a way that motivates real change.

It feels easy to let politics take a back seat. For instance, this past week, although I was interested in stopping at the table standing up for higher education on Middle Path, I ultimately prioritized my upcoming Italian exam over taking a few minutes to do my part. I support higher education, but felt unsure in my ability to properly contribute. It felt like taking a risk to interrupt my routine to try and express my concerns, especially in such a visible way on campus. I feel like the best way to break through this uncertainty is to get in the habit of getting politically involved, even when we don’t see our peers doing the same. Taking that first step might feel uncomfortable, but if we can turn it into a regular practice, it might not feel so impossible. 

We need to use the power of our educated and caring community to make a push and stand up for our rights. The path in front us is increasingly uncertain and treacherous. It will take hard work to protect the freedoms and rights that are being taken away, but if we want to be able to face this head on, we need to be in the habit of trying. Protest takes practice, and we need to push ourselves to practice. Organize protests, sign petitions and talk to one another. It is not stupid to try. I want to see the energy on campus that rises to meet the challenges of today. Next time I have the opportunity to exercise my right to speak up, I will take the risk, and I hope you will too. 

Kenyon is often referred to as a “bubble,” a small liberal-arts sphere within a largely rural and conservative area. However, this liberal campus label does not necessarily translate to a politically active campus. The accepted mindset within the Kenyon bubble prevents us from trying to have an impact on the rest of the world. It makes us believe that we don’t need to do more, because we are isolated from everyone else. Using the term “bubble” reduces our community to a place offering a liberal-arts identity, but little reach or contact outside our community. What is the use of this perceived intellectual identity when it does not translate to action and connection to the rest of our country? It’s time to step outside our comfort zone; it’s time to burst the bubble. 

Zady Hasse ’28 has not yet declared a major, and she is from Philadelphia. She can be contacted at hasse1@kenyon.edu