America as we know it has been on a political rollercoaster in recent years. With questions about the future of democracy and inner grappling over the polarization of U.S. politics, it isn’t easy to predict what could come next for the American people.
While some young Americans hold money in politics and structural racism responsible for the current problems in the United States, others place blame on the media and other Americans for the existing issues in contemporary society, according to a recent national poll conducted by Harvard’s Institute of Politics.
With the victory of President-elect Donald J. Trump in the 2024 general election, who will become the second U.S. president to serve two nonconsecutive terms, reactions among students are mixed as to what the next four years may hold.
“I am hoping to maintain a little bit of normalcy,” said first-year theater major Hannah Burns. “We don’t really know how things are going to go and how things are going to change.”
In the years ahead, Burns said America will reach a level of productive conversation where unity can be brought by reaching mutual understanding. Nabiha Ilkaqor, a first-year majoring in political science, global studies and economics, agreed with Burns saying she wants to see “a restorative democracy” for all people in the future of America.
Some students, like senior Marlo Young, a major in English and women’s gender and sexuality studies, said they hope for a future with less fear. And students like Alan Sanchez-Salgado, a senior systems engineering major, say they want to see a future America with less discrimination and more job opportunities.
As students begin to move forward in the days post-election, there are also real concerns they each feel while they hope for a better future.
Senior Greyson Thagard, a political science and psychology major, said he is grateful that he is set to graduate in the spring given the uncertain future of the Department of Education. Thagard has relied on federal financial assistance to pay for his college education.
“I am only in college because I'm on a Pell Grant,” Thagard said.
Thagard said he has dreams to pursue law school but is worried about the financial cost of fulfilling that dream.
“I will need financial aid for law school. … If it's privatized, then the rates are going to be super high, and I may not be able to fulfill that part of my future,” Thagard said.
Thagard, and many other college students, heavily consider their school loans when looking to the future. Student debt in recent years has steadily risen and now the total student debt owed in America exceeds the total amount of debt from auto loans and credit cards.
Ilkaqor said she is concerned with the rights of her loved ones, specifically her siblings and the women in her life, saying she is fearful of their general safety.
“Being born into a country that doesn’t really represent your rights is a very hurtful thing to go through and having to be in that continuous cycle is honestly deprecating,” Ilkaqor said.
Burns is worried about the possibilities of Project 2025, a presidential transition project listing conservative policy recommendations published by an advisory board of more than 100 conservative groups.
Young said she feels concerned about the future of reproductive rights and access to healthcare. Going into the 2024 general election, healthcare was the second most important issue for voters.
Yet all these students, even while individually experiencing uncertain realities, share this in common: a hope for a unified America where diverse perspectives are celebrated.
Students discussing their views shows how much they care about current politics. Constructive criticism will foster a growth mindset that embraces the opportunity for learning and change.
While it feels like a battle has been raging between Democrats and Republicans, students look forward to a future where the line is blurred between the two parties and a common ground can be shared.
