In a time where political divide is at its peak and human rights often become a topic of debate, the Presidential Election of 2024 appears to provoke mass anxiety.
As a result, MCLA called for what they have dubbed a “facilitated discussion on positive discourse,” and hosted a watch party in Freel Library for the new first presidential debate of 2024. This facilitated discussion was mediated by Dr. Kerri Nicoll, a Social Work and Political professor at MCLA, and began with attendees expressing their feelings surrounding the word “politics”.
Students and staff sat in a circle of chairs face-to-face with one another, and a common theme was presented. Words such as “fear”, “despair”, “exhaustion”, and “anger” were a few things that came to people’s minds regarding “politics”. A few topics surrounding the same word included “school shootings”, “how the government inaccurately talks about Black History Month”, “politicizing the death of children”, and “the impossible American Dream”. Many even described the “American Dream” as a facade and something that was not systemically built for certain groups of people, such as minorities and those in poverty.
MCLA student Esmeray Smith (’27), explained they had never had a chance or opportunity to have a civil discussion around politics before. “I’ve never been able to hold political discourse with other people where I’m from”, they stated, “so it’s interesting to be able to do that now.”
Social media was another topic brought to the table. Some attendees believed that social media stands on a problematic foundation of turning people against each other and feeding us false information. Other attendees believed that social media has helped direct our attention to injustices. Many used the example that our country’s population, without social media, would be unaware of the severity of the genocides occurring presently in our world.
Within the disagreement, Nicoll encouraged attendees to learn the differences between “debate”, “discussion”, and “dialogue”. Most people claimed, in the heat of a disagreement, they tended to lean toward arguing.
“I usually go toward debate, it’s hard not to when everyone has really fixed opinions”, explained MCLA student, Guhan Nandakumar (’27).
At 9:00 pm, attendees prepared themselves as Freel Library turned on the presidential debate between candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Both candidates stood on stage while moderators, Lindsay Davis and David Muir, facilitated the debate.
The topic of abortion bubbled up tension on the debate stage. Harris spoke in support of women’s reproductive freedoms and her belief that abortion should be available in every state, explaining, “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government, and Donald Trump, certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”
Trump replied, saying women are having abortions in the ninth month and that they “execute” babies after they’re born, but this was quickly shut down when moderator Lindsay Davis said, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born”.
Many of MCLA’s attendees giggled in response to the fact-check.
When the topic of border security came up, Harris spoke about wanting to send more agents and security to the border. Trump then said our country is lost due to immigration and claims, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats…of the people that live there.”
MCLA attendees seemed shocked after hearing this claim, which was then checked by David Muir, “I just want to clarify here, you bring up Springfield, Ohio. And ABC News did reach out to the city manager there. He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community”.
When the Palestine-Israel conflict was discussed, Trump claimed Harris hates the Israeli people and Harris quickly denied this statement. She claimed she has always supported the Israeli people and says, “Israel has a right to defend themselves…but how it does so matters, because it is also true, far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed…the way it will end is we need a cease-fire deal”.
This struck up controversy among the MCLA audience. Most of MCLA’s attendees leaned toward supporting Harris, but were upset with her support of Israel and her plan to be more restrictive on immigration.
MCLA student, Aimee Lee (’27) said, “I struggle with both candidates individually. I’ve noticed Kamala always switches her views. But I’m more fearful of Trump’s divide in the country and what his presidency will bring”, expressing dissatisfaction with the performances of both, though much more with Trump and his values.
“If you support and care about your friends in the LGBTQ community or black community or any minority group, you should vote for Kamala” suggested Esmeray Smith (’27), “Although, I was disappointed to see Kamala backing up Israel when there is a whole genocide going on in Palestine.”
Overall, it is crucial that MCLA students and staff know they have the right to vote and are encouraged to take part in that for themselves and their communities.
T (’27) leaves us with a few suggestions, “Vote with love, vote for your friends and your neighbors, and the ones you care about. Vote for equality to the best of your ability, but most importantly look after your community every day, and care for your loved ones in every moment, and in every local election too. Do it with care.”