On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Villanova University’s branch of the well-known conservative non-profit organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) invited Cliff Maloney of Delaware County to speak to students about his campaign work and the late Charlie Kirk. Maloney began his campaign career around 2016 when he quit his job as a math teacher to campaign for Rand Paul of the Republican Party, who ran against Donald Trump in the presidential election, but ultimately dropped out. In addition, Maloney has appeared on various news platforms, including Fox, and is currently working on his book named “Run Right,” which will focus on how to run for office correctly and hopefully win.
On a broader scale, in 2012, Charlie Kirk and William Montgomery founded TPUSA with the hopes of advocating for conservative politics on high school and college campuses. More than 10 years later, TPUSA has been described as one of the most powerful conservative youth groups in the nation. I was able to attend the event hosted by Villanova’s TPUSA chapter, but I began to wonder whether or not these events empower or diminish student voices.
Although insightful, events similar to this one may make students who do not identify with the politics associated with it less likely to branch out and attend. In comparison, events such as the debate held last semester between the presidents of both the major Republican and Democratic student organizations on campus allowed for a more inclusive feel.
In reality, this event was not what many may have perceived it to be based on its advertisement and marketing. Maloney focused on sharing his work and inspiring those in attendance to do the same, while some may have believed it to be an event aimed at reinforcing TPUSA’s political beliefs in students.
However, when events such as this one are present on campus, they may result in more negative change than positive, even if that is not their intended purpose. It is valid to argue that politics should be set aside from campus and exist independently outside Villanova’s gates, even if that is not completely feasible.
Analyzing Tuesday’s event specifically in relation to this argument, readers should note that when students branch out and attend these events, they may realize, as I did, how much more depth there is to these campaign organizations than what appears on the surface. More specifically, they see the amount of work campaigners do to gain votes, and the statistics show that it takes approximately 180 pieces of mail and 26 phone conversations to gain around two new votes for a candidate.
Events similar to this urge students to consider an important question about the role of politics on campus: should they create adversity or challenge us to think more critically? While political speakers and events may not appeal to all students, their presence can still offer insight into the realities of political organizing and civic engagement beyond headlines and stereotypes. College communities thrive when students feel comfortable engaging in discussions about these topics.
If similar events plan to enter campus, they should aim not only to promote ideas but to foster inclusivity, curiosity and genuine conversation from a diverse set of perspectives.
