Whether you’ve been on campus for a month or years, it’s probably safe to say that you’ve met a diverse group of people. Not only may these people be of different races, genders, and ages, they may also have varying political views. Politics can be a difficult area of discussion, but healthy, productive conversations are possible. Here are a few ways to navigate politics and the current social climate on campus.
Be Respectful
When it comes to politics, there is nothing more important than being respectful. Sadly, respect is lacking across much of today's political landscape. Help change that narrative by approaching conversations with courtesy and respect. Without respect, you will not be able to successfully navigate the political and social climate at your university. Being able to consider different viewpoints is a tool that you will use throughout your life, so take the time to hone the skill now.
Have An Open Mind
Whether you are a staunch Republican, a libertarian in the making, or just starting to explore the political realm, make sure that you go into college with an open mind. It is OK to have your own beliefs and viewpoints. However, you will do yourself and your fellow students a disservice if you don’t listen to what others say without judgment. By opening your ears and heart, you will learn more about your fellow students and their values, and expand your own worldview.
Have the Difficult Conversations
For many, discussing politics can be uncomfortable and can make you feel alienated. It can also lead to increased tension between individuals. Even so, in order to understand your own viewpoints and those of other students, you can’t be afraid to have the difficult conversations. As long as you come from a place of genuinely wanting to understand, without judgment or prejudice, these conversations can provide new viewpoints, connections, and understanding among college students.
Ask Why
It’s easy not to probe deeper when someone states their political beliefs. But the only way to truly understand where they are coming from is to get at the root of why they believe what they do. So ask. Learning more about the context and background of others' political beliefs shows them that you care and that you are looking to learn, not trying to challenge what they believe.
Do Your Own Research
It is not uncommon for students to simply agree with their friends’ political views. Before you make any decisions, do your own research. Find credible sources and learn more about the issues that matter to you. You may find that you still agree with your friends, or your views may differ on certain issues. Either way, you will be able to have more productive and respectful conversations if you are well versed on the issues at hand.
Walk Away
It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is best to simply walk away. If you are not in a space to have a productive and respectful conversation, or feel that others are not willing to listen to differing points of view, it may be best to remove yourself from the conversation. This does not mean you won’t be ready to address the issues at a later date. It is simply a recognition that you, or others, are not in the right mindset to have an open and honest dialogue at the current time.
Politics can be a challenging and divisive subject on a college campus. You may feel like no one shares your beliefs, or that you can’t get escape political talk. The most important thing to remember about navigating politics on campus is to do what is right for you. If that means having difficult conversations, great. If that means removing yourself from a situation, that is fine too. In order to successfully navigate politics on your campus, be open-minded, willing to have difficult conversations, and respectful of others. College is a time to explore, learn, and grow. So take the time to do just that!
On Topic
McKalee Steen, a member of the Cherokee Nation, is a second year PhD student at University of California, Berkeley, in the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management department. She has been a member of AISES since middle school, and is currently serving as the U.S. Senior National Student Representative for AISES.
How can students make an informed decision about whether to reveal their own perspective in the classroom or through campus groups?
It can be really challenging to exist in academic spaces that were not built for Native people, and there may be many times when you are the only Native person in your classroom or certain campus groups. Throughout my experience as a student, I often felt a lot of weight on my shoulders to not only represent my individual experience as a Cherokee woman, but also to represent Indian Country as a whole. I think it's important to realize that this is unrealistic!
You can only speak to your own individual experiences and identity. That being said, I still felt that I needed to recognize and utilize the privilege granted to me by having a seat at the table in academic settings, and find ways to use my voice. First and foremost, my advice would be to listen and never feel like you have to respond quickly. Take the time to process what others are saying, and you might find that a response is not worth your time. When a response is worth your time, you will be able to take a breath and measure your words. Most of all, I hope that students realize that their voice is important, their perspective matters, and we need more Native students in these spaces. At the same time, it is important to take care of yourself and know when it's OK to reserve your voice for when it really matters or will be heard. It takes a little trial and error, but you will find a balance for knowing when to share your own perspective and when to simply just observe what's going on.
