Colleges across America turned out to vote in this election, especially in swing states. Countless news sources covered our hours-long line behind the Mullen center. Elected officials stopped by to talk to voters and encourage their dedication.
When I first got to Villanova, I was somewhat taken aback at the lack of talk about politics, social justice and other current events. We supposedly hold true the values of truth, unity and love, but there were lots of times I just didn’t feel it.
I hold immense privilege being able to go to such an amazing university, where I have learned so much. At every point in our life though, we have to be able to hold institutions accountable. Gratitude can co-exist with striving toward improvement. Life is all about acknowledging what we have while acknowledging what we can do better.
On Tuesday, I was inspired by the turnout of voters, many of whom it was their first time. Students waited for hours to exercise the right to vote.
The results of this election will have real impacts on people’s lives. Politics have real impacts on people’s lives. The results of the election may have caused disappointment, maybe even sadness for many, myself included. It may have caused anger for others, but it doesn’t stop there.
Of course the future is scary, and of course there are lots of things that could go wrong. But if we work together, we will face the future just a little bit easier. As students and educated people, we hold privileged positions in society. This may be a loss, but it is not an end.
Many people hold the assumption that young people don’t care, many hold the assumption that young people can’t make a difference. The events of Tuesday prove this wrong.
There is a time for everything, and that includes a time of mourning. Our Villanova values must lead us to pursue unity and love at this time. As Villanovans, we must reject discrimination. We must reject division. We must reject exclusion. As Americans, we must reject hate. In a time where the country is against each other, we must come together. On campus and off campus we must strive toward our Villanovan values like we did on Tuesday.
We must recognize the opportunity we have and the people we have around us. We must be proud of the work that has been done and continue to work towards what will be. We have to lift each other up instead of bringing each other down.
As I prepare to leave Villanova, I could not be more proud of the progress we have made. Regardless of who we all voted for, Tuesday we came together to pursue something bigger than ourselves.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, watching hundreds of my peers show out to vote inspired me in a way I didn’t know possible.
