What is your overall view of politics?
Hunter Baldwin (freshman, psychology): “ I think politics are important, sometimes entertaining, but always consequential to someone if not yourself.”
Verlencia Senatus (freshman, psychology): “My overall view of politics is little to nothing. My family isn’t very political. But when I am partaking in a conversation, I tend to just look for the best things in human life, which provides a more positive than negative perspective.”
Quintin Wilson (freshman, biochemistry): “I try not to talk about politics a lot, because it is always a source of conflict, so that’s kind of how I see it.”
How interested or apathetic are you towards politics?
Senatus: “I’ve grown to become more interested in politics as I’ve been able to see the effect of past political laws on those in my time. It allows me to learn more about not only what’s going on but also to explore other people’s views. This allows for better understanding and better ways of finding new solutions that can possibly help both sides.”
Wilson: “I’m not really very interested. I know it’s important to know, but I don’t really want to argue with people. Also it takes some time to read and to watch political things, and I’m always studying.”
Do you believe it is important for you to be involved in current state affairs?
Baldwin: “I think it is of the highest importance for people to be aware of the current political situation and, at a minimum, participate by voting. Not everyone has the capacity to read articles everyday or the desire to know every U.S. senator’s name, but I don’t see any good reason for someone to be totally dissonant with politics. It’s hard to think about a situation in which politics won’t have a direct impact on your life at some point, so even if it is out of self preservation, everyone should understand their position on politics.”
Wilson: “I do believe it is important to stay up-to-date on the things happening around you, for your benefit and others.”
If you are involved, in what ways would you encourage others to get involved as well?
Baldwin: “As far as my involvement, it is mainly in the form of reading articles and initiating debates with my friends and family. But I don’t under estimate the value of starting those conversations, and likewise when my friends bring up politics with me, it validates my position that we all should be talking about politics.”
Senatus: “I would encourage others to just take the time to first learn about the state you're in and to continually expand to other parts of the world. Becoming political isn’t something that is nasty or something that should get ugly; it is about becoming self aware and learning. In my opinion, I believe people should become more political and open. It’s hard to understand another person’s view without being willing to understand. We all live on this earth—why not all strive to make it the best for everyone?”
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.