Inkwell ANNIE WRIGHT UPPER SCHOOL
November 2020
The
2020 Election Issue
Letter from the editors Holding an election this year looks very different. Not only is the COVID-19 pandemic reaching a possible second wave, but our politics are only becoming more polarized. We doubt the main events of the election is news to our audience, but the details and intricacies can prove hard to follow. We also know this election and its accompanying conflicts have been a great source of stress for many. We hope this issue can provide some clarity as well as hope for a more united future. Flipping through, you will find articles on leading constructive political conversations, student activist spotlights, other countries’ perspectives on the U.S., and more. Our staff worked hard remotely for two months to put together a balanced and thoughtful issue speaking on these topics. We hope that no matter your political affiliation, the issue will produce new insights and spark productive conversations in your community. Please stay kind. We hope you are staying safe and healthy as you read through this publication.
ANNIE WRIGHT UPPER SCHOOL
Inkwell NOVEMBER 2020
827 North Tacoma Avenue Tacoma, WA 98403 inkwell@aw.org | 253-272-2216 Issue 1 | Volume 62 EDITOR IN CHIEF Julia Henning PRINT EDITOR Gabrielle Krieger ONLINE EDITOR Parker Briggs SOCIAL & MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Sebastian Bush NEWS EDITOR Sofia Guerra STUDENT LIFE & SPORTS EDITOR Lauren Cook STAFF WRITERS Olivia Near Knoopy Yi Clara Wessells
Julia Henning Editor-in-Chief Gabrielle Krieger Print Editor
Cover art by Gabrielle Krieger
Inkwell aims to provide the Annie Wright community with dependable and engaging coverage of school, community and global topics. Inkwell publishes articles of all genres weekly at anniewrightinkwell.org as well as four themed magazines during the course of the school year. Submissions of articles and photographs, correction requests and signed letters to the editor are most welcome. Please email the editors at inkwell@aw.org. All published submissions will receive credits and bylines.
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Contents Politics in family Coping with election stress Students on social media in politics The national popular vote interstate compact The world watches Student activist spotlight: Terah Gruber Tips for approaching conversations The death of the GOP OK Boomer USPS in the time of COVID Student activist spotlight: Isabella Iregui Gerrymandering Pandemic voting causes pandemonium
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Politics in family: does the apple fall far from the tree? by Julia Henning
Illustration by Sofia Guerra.
Political conversations among family members can easily turn uncomfortable or escalate quickly in a time of such polarizing views in American politics. While children are influenced by their parents and their upbringing, many may not take after the politics in their family. Because of generational differences and the change between high school and college life and a career, students receive different information and are more distanced from their parents’ ways of thinking. Only 50% of surveyed Annie Wright Upper School students said they had similar political beliefs to their parents. Erin Picken (USG '23) came to align with her parent’s politics through their values and morals, rather than being directly told about specific viewpoints. "I didn't really talk to my parents about politics before January of this year,” said Picken. “I don't think that they influenced [my views] directly in a large way, but I think that the way they taught me about empathy indirectly influenced my political beliefs. For example, they made sure that I was actively listening to people's opinions.”
On the other hand, Lauren Christenson's (USG '21) experience with family politics is similar to the other 50% of Upper School students whose political beliefs do not align with or are partially different from their parents/guardians. For Christenson, her perspective on LGBTQIA+ rights and immigration lean left and liberal compared to her parents. “I have to fight for my friendships,” said Christenson of her parents. “Because they are not a fan of the LGBTQIA+ community and a majority of my friends are a part of that community and it’s rather difficult to get their ‘approval’ of my friends.” Christenson finds it difficult to lead constructive conversations with her parents. While she agrees with her parents’ beliefs in some areas, she often wishes she could explain her own political ideas to her parents better. “It’s their opinion so they’re not going to understand my point of view or how I feel about certain things but it’d be pretty nice if they would,” she said.
Want to learn more about the differing and shared political views among family members of different generations? Head to "OK Boomer" on pg. 18! 2
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Coping with election stress: An interview with Jenna Lott by Sebastian Bush
With the upcoming presidential
election, protests around the country, Supreme Court confirmation hearings and a global pandemic, politics can be overwhelming right now. Inkwell spoke with Annie Wright Upper Schools counselor Jenna Lott about how students can best approach anxiety and stress regarding politics.
Political barriers at home Lott says that if students are having trouble talking to their family about politics, “it’s important to understand the art of talking with someone or debating with someone in an appropriate way.” Lott emphasizes that you should always be kind and respectful when having a conversation: “I think learning to advocate your point, but also hearing the other person’s and being okay with that. You don’t have to convince someone of your point.” She mentioned that not getting frustrated is key: “I think it’s hard to not get fired up about that stuff.” Lott also talked about disagreeing with the other person, “[asking yourself] how do we disagree in a way that is respectful?” She also encouraged students to talk with their counselor if they feel anxious.
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“I think it depends on that person’s comfort level in regards to talking with their parents. Some families may not have an open communication. So the barrier would be differing political views and also a hard time communicating in general with someone’s family. But I think that it would be important to at least make the parents aware of it if they felt comfortable.” For more information on having constructive conversations about politics, read our article titled “Tips for approaching conversations" on pg. 12.
What if someone refuses to wear a mask? If someone you know refuses to wear a mask, Lott says the best approach may be to “peacefully remove [yourself] from that situation.” According to Lott, if you feel like you need to stand up, however, “I think they could come from a place of using an 'I' statement. Like, ‘I feel offended when you don't wear a mask because it could increase someone’s risk of getting sick.’”
"They should find a group of people who share their political views, so they feel supported. Naturally, that would eliminate stress." Lott suggests using “I” statements in conversations, as they may help in breaking down the barriers in a conversation. “‘Next time you are around me could you please wear a mask?’ So I think there is a sentence stem using “I” statements, to where I feel [I have] the least offensive ask. Or a more peaceful ask.’”
Dealing with political stress When asked about how students should deal with stress regarding politics, Lott responded, “...it depends on the person. If a student is feeling stress from the upcoming election, they should find a caring adult that is safe to have a conversation with. They should find a group of people who share their political views, so they feel supported. Naturally, that would eliminate stress.” Lott also discussed how we carry stress, “For me, I carry stress in my shoulders, but like what do I need to do, [maybe I need to do] breathing exercises, get more sleep, or journal. So for me, it would be this way.” However, for others it may be different, “If they can’t sleep at night, [they have] anxiety, worry, I think they should reach out to their counselor, or a caring adult that could help them learn strategies to know that in uncertain times, especially with politics, that we can only control ourselves and, what can we do to control ourselves in a way that’s less stressful.” Lott says that the number one thing is talking about it, “the act part of it would be like finding a caring adult to talk this out because talking can help people. And finding others that support your point of view, can be comforting in uncertain times.”
Feeling stressed? Don't pull your hair out. Use these tips from counselor Jenna Lott. Graphic by Sebastian Bush. 1
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Annie Wright students discuss social media in politics by Sofia Guerra.
As of 2020, Twitter reports a monthly average of over 300 million active users, and Instagram reports over 1 billion monthly users. With large political rallies all but banned in the COVID-19 era, and CNN’s highest view count only coming in at 1 million, it is undeniable that social media is the most effective platform to reach a wider and more diverse audience for presidential candidates. In a survey of 28 Annie Wright students, 58% of students stated that they believe a strong social media presence is important to the success of a presidential campaign, or really any political activity. Students surveyed selected President Donald Trump, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and former Vice President Joe Biden as the politicians with the most significant social media presence across platforms like Twitter, Instagram and even TikTok. Incidentally, the same three politicians were among the most followed across various social media platforms by the students surveyed. Annie Wright Freja Holmes (USG ‘24) wrote that “I believe that who you follow on social media can very much have an [effect] on your political views, especially if you are at
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the stage in your life where you are developing independent views from your family and friends.”
"I believe that who you follow on social media can very much have an [effect] on your political views, especially if you are at the stage in your life where you are developing independent views from your family and friends." However, within this group of students, there was a divide between whether or not the information and opinions shared via official social media accounts were helpful, trustworthy or generally a positive in their influence. Madeline Strate (USG ‘23) stated, “I get to see more of [their] opinions in their own words without worrying about media bias, so I think it gives me a more clear view of [their] stance on issues.” While
some students shared the belief that social media can provide a clear and perhaps more relatable look at some politicians, others argued that the information put out on a candidate's social media, namely current president and 2020 presidential candidate Donald Trump, could be biased in opinion and even information regarding certain issues. Some students also noted that the influence or impact of politicians’ accounts could be augmented by how ‘personal’ their posts felt. Student activist Erin Picken (USG ‘23) stated, “I feel like with candidates...who have a lot more people working with them on their social media, it’s not as much of a personal thing. With more [involved politicians], like the [U.S. representative] AOC, you can tell a lot more. I wouldn’t say, ‘oh, I know Joe Biden’, because he doesn’t run his Instagram, that’s his team.” Among students who answered that they did not follow or receive information from politicians’ social media accounts, a significant portion still answered that information from social media in general played an important role
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in how they formed conclusions and opinions. These students mentioned they instead followed information from accounts dedicated to commenting on political stances, policies and events, or broadened their knowledge through conversing with other people on social media. Picken stated, “I like to look at debates and debate with people under comment sections, so I can hear other perspectives.” Many students answered that the wide community of social media allowed many different views and takes to be easily shared and discussed. “[It] depends on the content of what they put on social media, but I think [going through social media] helps people take more controversial stances, since they can be anonymous,” said Emil Haedt (USG ‘21). Others similarly noted that the aspect of anonymity can be both a good and bad thing in an era of strong political polarization and tension.
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"I think the definition of 'strongest' is a bit skewed here. I see Trump the most, but I wouldn't say his presence is 'strong' as in it changes my opinion of him." Students also mentioned how the followers of politicians affected their social media presence. Of the students surveyed, a majority stated that Donald Trump and his supporters had the most overpowering social media presence. However, as described by Katherine Maas (USG ‘23), “I think the definition of ‘strongest’ is a bit skewed here. I see Trump the most, but I wouldn’t say his presence is ‘strong’ as in it changes my opinion of him.”
Picken elaborated on this sentiment. “I feel like I hear about [Trump] in a positive light a lot more. But a lot of the time, these things I hear are not policy, just general comments [about Trump as a person]. But, I feel like whenever I hear Joe Biden being talked about, it’s always about whether he likes something or doesn’t, or what his policy is on things. The discussion around him online feels a little more productive.” While student views on social media and politics varied, it is evident now more than ever that social media will continue to expand and develop its role in modern communication. Picken ventured, “Once politicians begin to understand it a little more, hopefully [social media presence] will become an important part of how people get legitimate information, because at times it can feel like you’re confused about what’s real, what’s fake. Hopefully, that will be sorted out.”
Most students cited Instagram as the main social media platform used to access information on politics. Photo by Sofia Guerra.
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Many American citizens do not know or do not fully understand the effect of different voting systems. Graphic by Sofia Guerra
What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College is the system in place that has historically determined the winner of the presidential election. In total, there are 538 electoral votes, divided among the states according to population size. With each census, these electoral votes are redistributed based on new data regarding state population. As of 2020, the state with the largest number of votes is California, with 55 electoral votes. The states with the lowest number of votes are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming, all holding three electoral votes. Electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the statewide election, or the popular vote for a single state. In all states but Maine and Nebraska, the winner of each state will take all of that state’s electoral votes. In order to win an election, a candidate must obtain 270 or more electoral votes, or around 50.2% of all votes.
Pros and cons of the Electoral College
The Electoral College process has garnered plenty of criticism as well as praise, especially as politics in recent years have become increasingly polarized. Dr. Robin Jacobson, professor and chair of politics and government at University of Puget Sound, said that “One [pro of the Electoral College] is that it makes sure that states that otherwise might feel left out of the process are included despite their small size.” Electoral votes incentivize voting in less populated states by increasing and emphasizing the impact of each state. For example, the state of Wyoming has a population of 580,000 but holds three electoral votes. While its actual population makes up only 0.18% of the U.S. population, their electoral votes are 1.1% of all electoral votes. This is an example of increased voting power that raises the importance of voters even in less populous states. “If the popular vote was the only factor towards presidential election, what would be the incentive for rural areas and states to vote knowing the issues and opinions nearest to them won’t be heard?” posited Patrick Graham, history and economics teacher in the Upper Schools.
Everything you need to know about
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact by Sofia Guerra
However, increased voting power is also among the list of cons of the Electoral College. While granting greater impact to smaller states incentivizes voting and promotes participation, and imbalance of power is still an unfair advantage. “It gives outside influence to states with large rural populations and undercounts states that are more densely populated,” said Jacobsen.
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Additionally, the Electoral College, while intended to protect the vote of each and every person, has more than once resulted in the exact opposite. “In some ways, it defies the rule of one person, one vote...With increasing frequency, I imagine, we’ll see instances where the winner of the Electoral College and the national popular vote do not align,” said Jacobsen. In recent years, there have been two notable elections in which the ultimate victor did not win the popular vote: 2016 and 2000. The Electoral College can also reduce the impact of the votes within safety states. “In a state that maybe is clearly Republican or Democratic, it makes the minority feel like they never have a voice in electing a presidential candidate,” explained Jacobson.
What is the NVPIC?
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) is an agreement among states and the District of Columbia to award their respective electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote of the presidential election. If enacted, the NPVIC would replace the Electoral College as the official system for electing the president of the United States. In order for the compact to be put in motion, the cumulative electoral votes of participating states must equal or exceed 270 before July 20 in the year of the election. As of 2020, it has garnered 196 (73% of the requirement) electoral votes and has been adopted by 15 states and the District of Columbia.
Pros and cons of the NVPIC
Like the Electoral College, the NPVIC is a subject of much debate. Graham discusses one potential benefit of the NPVIC: “In states like California, where in almost every case all of the Electoral votes will go to the Democratic Party, what reason does a Republican candidate have to visit there (regardless of the
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large number of Republicans that reside there)? The same goes for Republican strongholds and a Democratic candidate. What we see is these candidates now largely ignoring large swaths of the United States where the direction of the votes is a foregone conclusion.” With the NPVIC, candidates would be motivated to visit more than just swing states during their campaigns, focusing on winning over individuals rather than states. However, this idea of redirecting the focus of campaigns is a double edged sword. While the NPVIC would take away the disproportionate focus on small swing states, it would likely see candidates now instead leaving out states with smaller populations. “You would see campaigns giving different geographic emphasis. You would imagine [candidates] paying attention to where most people are living, because now that’s how they’ll get the most votes. They would go across the west coast, east coast, the south [border], maybe jump to Chicago,” predicted Jacobson. Additionally, Jacobson discussed the possibility of voter depression across all states under the NPVIC. “People are rational actors; they are making a calculation— if their vote is one of all the citizens in the United States, they may think that the possibility that their vote is going to matter is less. It is uncertain what the effect on the motivation of the voters will be. You might be seeing people throw up their hands and say, ‘what does one vote in the whole country matter?’” Jacobson also described a potential outcome of increased polarization. “Moving to a popular vote...I don’t think it will help. I think it might actually inflame [the issue of polarization]. For example, if you have folks in rural areas that now feel like...they have no voice at all. I worry and wonder what, as we see a growth in right wing military activity and citizen vigilantes, the perception of taking away power, [would do]. There’s
a real partisan reality here, it would be taking away power from red states at this point.”
Will the NVPIC be implemented?
“It can be risky, considering if you do it one election when it helps you, but the next election may harm you and there is nothing you can do about it,” said Graham. “Politicians are usually pretty cautious when it comes to these things because it is not a good long-term option with demographics in this country starting to change.” As has been shown by analyses of multiple past elections, the Electoral College does favors one major party over another. Likewise, the winner of the popular vote is variable. Signing onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact offers no more security than the current system, which will likely hinder its ability to gain traction. Jacobson stated, “It depends on the outcome [of the election]. Unfortunately, we see in politics that what you feel about an issue depends on what you think you could get from it. Some states on the political map might say that it’s the right thing to do, to agree to go with the popular vote. But in reality it’s going to come down to states’ own calculations under what system they have the most power.” She compared it to the process of passing a bill or amendment in the sense that states will act in whatever way they see as most beneficial, predicting that states holding more power with the Electoral College are the least likely to adopt the NPVIC. “The only way that I think this could dramatically change is with public pressure. The only way that someone would go for something that doesn’t support their own political voice is if...citizens were demanding it and [supporting the compact] is what would get them kicked out or brought into office again [at the next state election],” she concluded.
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The world watches Other countries share their opinions on Trump, Americans and the United States by Lauren Cook While the United States is widely considered to be a strong force in the Western world, there is no doubt that its rapidly changing political climate, civil unrest and recent handling of the coronavirus has affected its reputation. Inkwell reached out to students all over the world to get their opinions of the United States, Americans, and President Donald Trump, as well as their general knowledge of US politics and the upcoming election. Here are their responses.
Students from all over the world were asked what adjectives came to mind when they thought of Americans. Graphic by Lauren Cook.
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Umar Ingalls, United Arab Emirates
“Generally speaking, ‘American’ over here is synonymous with ‘Trump,’ which is synonymous with a whole bunch of other words that I won’t mention,” said Umar Ingalls (LS ‘16). Ingalls is half American, but currently lives in Dubai. When he tells people of his citizenship, he often has to explain that “no, I’m not a Trump supporter.” Because Ingalls has lived in the United States, he does not believe all Americans are the same. “It’s a complicated country with a variety of characters,” he said. However, he also mentioned that under President Donald Trump, the U.S.’s image has drastically shifted, especially to citizens of the UAE. “[In terms of] his presidential policies, nothing comes to mind in terms of things that are objectively ‘good.’” When asked about the U.S.’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ingalls simply replied, “Terribly.” “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “There is no such thing as civil discourse between opposing sides anymore. It’s about who screams the loudest. From an outsider's perspective, it’s pretty sad.”
Noelia Blanco, Spain
Noelia Blanco, a student at the Annie Wright Spanish sister school Eurocolegio Casvi, said that, while some Americans are “a little racist and a little crazy,” overall, they are nice. “When I think of the U.S., I think of New York and its beautiful snowy streets,” she said. “I also think of armed people walking around on the streets.” Blanco said that Spain thinks of the United States as the “greatest power in the world” and many Spaniards think the best of Americans. Blanco said she doesn’t know very much about the politics of the United States
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apart from hearing news about Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. “I believe that Donald Trump has not treated the U.S. badly,” she said, before adding, “however I do not like him as a person.” Spain and the United States were both notably relaxed in their initial handling of the coronavirus crisis, with both countries racking up thousands of cases daily. However, from mid-March until June, Spain was in full lockdown, unlike the U.S. This made Blanco feel frustrated that Trump considered the virus a “simple flu, when it’s really a serious thing.”
Yandisa Butler, South Africa
“In my opinion, I think [Trump] is a really good business man but he is a terrible leader who makes decisions on what would suit himself, [without] giving much care for others,” said Yandisa Butler, a student from South Africa. “I actually agree with a few [conservative viewpoints], but now I identify as mainly liberal because of what Trump stands for. The way he speaks is so condescending… the things he says infuriate me. I’ve seen some poor leaders in my country, but never as blatantly disrespectful and blind as him.” Butler said she did not think the coronavirus was “handled properly” within the United States and led to many unnecessary deaths. Butler knows a fair amount about American politics, like the difference between the U.S. and South African government, or how the U.S. Electoral College works. “I do like to be ‘up to date’ with [international politics] just to know what's happening, and if it would affect me or my country,” she said. Butler explained that she would like to attend college in the U.S., but that “America as a whole is also pretty scary and doesn't feel safe… but it’s definitely safer than South Africa [depending on the area].” According to her, most South Afri-
cans “would like to go to America, people also think it's not all that's it's cut out to be neither is it the ‘greatest’ place.”
Kate Collie, England
“A lot of people look down on America because of all the decisions that Trump makes which are then associated with Americans,” said Kate Collie (MS ‘18). Because Collie lived in the United States for most of her life, she asked some friends what they thought of Americans. Their responses included, “patriotic, annoying, stupid, loud,” and “think they’re better than everyone else.”
"There is no such thing as civil discourse between opposing sides anymore. It’s about who screams the loudest. From an outsider's perspective, it’s pretty sad.” Collie and her peers do not think Trump is a good leader or person, saying that he does not appear to care about the Americans he should be helping and that “most of his decisions are for his own benefit.” Collie mentioned that she doesn’t know much about the election, but that she tries to “keep up with the news and have a basic idea of what’s happening and the candidates’ view on topics.” Collie said she cares a lot about U.S. politics because it impacts so many others.
Nico Lucio, Colombia
Nico Lucio from Colombia said that in Colombia, many Americans are perceived as arrogant and stubborn people who “think [they] are some kind of role model for society… [and that they] have dream lives.” Lucio said these characteristics particularly apply to Trump, who, he said, is “not a leader but a person who rules.” When asked about the upcoming presidential election, Lucio said that both Biden and Trump are "trying so hard to win at any cost that their behavior is making fun of U.S. political legitimacy.”
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He continued to say that, in general, the sometimes overly-independent spirit of many Americans is creating rifts not only within the US, but in other countries around the world. “In general, U.S. citizens tend to choose mainly from a misguided heart,” said Lucio, “and that is causing [the whole world] very serious trouble.”
Alice Nixon and Miriam Shipley, New Zealand
“Generally patriotic, bald, white, generic, bland, corrupt, religious, racist, cult.” These are all words past AWS exchange student Miriam Shipley from New Zealand used to describe Americans. University student Alice Nixon agreed with this sentiment, saying most ‘kiwis’ view Americans in a negative light. Nixon attributed this outlook to Trump and the way his administration has handled various topics of concern throughout his presidency. “[New Zealand gets] a lot of media coverage about racism, shootings, and unaffordable health care in the USA which builds up a negative outlook on the country,” she said. Following the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, New Zealand almost immediately banned semi-
automatic weapons—something the U.S. has failed to regulate, despite countless mass shootings in recent years. Gun control was mentioned by Shipley as well, who said it was one of the issues that makes New Zealanders more hostile towards Americans. Both Shipley and Nixon shared strong feelings about Trump, both as a leader and person. “I think Trump is unqualified to lead any country, especially one as influential as the United States,” said Nixon. “I completely disagree with the way he treats minorities and foreigners and it is upsetting to see his rulings such as ‘the Muslim ban.’ As a leader, I think he has been successful in benefiting himself and those who share his ideologies, but has damaged the rights of many Americans. As a person, I think he is narcissistic, unprofessional, and deceiving. His comments about women are especially worrying.” Shipley agreed, noting that when she first heard of his candidacy in 2016 she believed it was a joke. “He is a pedophile and a sexual predator,” she said. Shipley also commented on the way the U.S. has handled COVID-19, saying that Americans “tend to be more selfish as they have to look out for themselves,” which echoes the thoughts of many other interviewees. Since the start of the
pandemic, New Zealand has had well under 2,000 reported cases—compared to the United States’ 7.7 million (and counting). According to Shipley, a lack of funding in education and health sectors make Americans “indoctrinated rather than educated,” especially in terms of the COVID-19 crisis. Shipley believes it is “so ingrained that people have to fend for themselves,” that Americans are too selfish to wear a mask or consider others. Shipley also noted that even democrats in the U.S. are “right-wing by New Zealand standards.” Nixon agreed, adding,“Coming from a country which almost eradicated the coronavirus by April, the U.S. seems to be handling it badly,” she said. “It was upsetting to see [Americans] ignoring distancing rules and protesting maskwearing and lockdowns.” Nixon shared that most New Zealanders have a “general knowledge” about U.S. current affairs, and that they get a lot of media coverage of Trump and U.S. political movements, like Black Lives Matter. “...I try to stay updated with American news because I think it’s important to stay informed about international politics everywhere,” she said. “We have to care because it indirectly affects us,” agreed Shipley.
Student art submission "Wrestlemania 2020: Titanous Trump vs. Barbarous Biden" by Senior Jillian Eliel 10
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Student activist spotlight Registering voters with Terah Gruber by Gabrielle Krieger
Terah Gruber is a senior at Annie Wright who volunteers with Students Demand Action where she participated in phone banking to help register voters.
Terah Gruber (USG '21), has been volunteering to help register voters through Students Demand Action (SDA) since the summer of 2020. SDA is a youth organization fighting gun violence in the US, which is a part of the larger organization Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit advocating for gun control. Gruber originally planned on only participating in the youth organization’s local rallies this summer. However, because of COVID-19, they were cancelled. Following this cancellation, she received a cold call from a local member of SDA who shared information with her on how to get involved with the organization, after making sure she was pre-registered to vote. Since signing up, Gruber has volunteered virtually through phone banking with her fellow group members, engaging people in conversations similar to the one that got her involved. She typically discusses registration and “where you can find your candidates’ information on where they stand on gun control.” In addition, she has attended regular zoom conferences with other members where they learn more about voting and “the importance of voting with gun violence in mind.” Gruber cites her Global Politics Class as one of the reasons she wanted to get involved. “Taking that class was very eye opening. Before, I was just not very interested in politics only because I didn’t like watching the news,” she stated. It helped her realize “the last election and this election... are very important, and I think this one is more important than ever, and so I wanted to do my part, even though I can’t vote yet.” She was also drawn to the organization by its “hands on” nature, and because “it’s not just adults, everything is run by
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kids.” Instead of watching the news, “I learn by going to these zoom conferences and talking to other kids about issues that I’m passionate about and want to learn more about,” Gruber noted. A large obstacle as a phone bank volunteer Gruber has faced is her age. “I think when people answer and they hear a kid on the phone… it’s harder for them to take us seriously,” she said. Yet to Gruber, it has been worth it because by educating other potential voters, “it’ll make a little domino effect, and now there’s more people who can get other people to register,” she stated.
"When you vote, it's not just clicking a box... you're also educating yourself." Gruber encouraged people to vote not only because of the change it can create in the world, but because “when you vote, it’s not just clicking a box...you’re also educating yourself.” “When you take the time to vote, and... you have to read that packet and go through all the information for it, you know, you’re learning more about it [politics] and you’re getting involved,” she noted. For students who are too young to vote or even preregister, Gruber urged: “just do some research and find some organization, you know, for a matter that you care about, there’s going to be a youth organization that is taking volunteers.”
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Tips for approaching conversations by Knoopy Yi and Olivia Near
Starting a conversation Do not expect other people to change: Conversations are meant to increase understanding and exchange ideas. A productive conversation’s primary goal should not be to change someone’s mind but to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views. Go into the conversation with a pre-established positive relationship: Josh Mitchell, social studies teacher in the Upper School for Boys, said that starting a conversation is better when you create trust before discussing anything of significance with a potential for disagreement. That way, you have a better chance to remain friends afterward. Refer to common ground: On finding common ground, Dr. Bridgette O’Brien, global politics teacher in the Upper School for Girls, said, “I think looking for the root of some of those differences and then also trying to find some commonalities between us helps open up that dialogue or conversation.” Go into the discussion with an open mind: Be ready to receive some arguments you may not want to hear or understand at first, since those always exist in a discussion. Ask questions. Absorb what knowledge you can and it should improve your perception of such an issue. O’Brien advises, it is best, when approaching the conversation, to keep in mind “no matter what my opinion is, no matter what my ideas are, there’s [always] more to the picture that I can learn. And I think if we even [just] ask one another to do that, we’re [going to] have more fruitful conversations.”
Having the conversation Active listening: Don’t just think of what to say next while the other person is speaking; respectfully listen to the other person’s arguments, interpret it as best you can, and always ask questions if you have them. Staying calm and nonjudgmental during this is important, as prejudice could cause misunderstanding. In addition, being open to new points of view can help you grasp their perspective. O’Brien said, “...being vulnerable and asking questions [is really beneficial], especially when we’re disagreeing about something.” Avoid toxic discussions: Toxic discussions are generally less valuable, and there is less potential information and understanding that can be attained. It is harmful to your relationship with the person, and generally a waste of time. When a discussion becomes toxic, O’Brien said, “I think it becomes toxic when somebody in that conversation begins to feel personally attacked or disregarded or disrespected. That’s not only toxic to the exchange itself, but it is toxic to moving that issue or dialogue forward.” Thoughtful speech: Although the two of you may have established that both sides will present arguments that either might not necessarily agree with, it is still important to consider your language. Being considerate of each other’s experiences is one of the greatest respects you could give in a discussion like this. However, O’Brien said,“...if you really are offended, I think it’s fine to note that, but I think there needs to be some context or a redirection, rather than just... [being] really thoughtless on the exchange.”
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Your opinions are not always right: We have a lot of experiences, perhaps a memory of an encounter or general knowledge, tied in with our beliefs. While we might perceive something as “correct,” it isn’t always the case, because opinions are subjective. As O’Brien said, “we are human, we all have blinders, we all have areas of expertise and knowledge. And I think engaging authentically, and recognizing that we may make mistakes, we may have things to learn… and being open, if we misstep, being aware if people have something to suggest to us. I think that.. is one of the best ways for us to engage.” Have empathy/compassion throughout the conversation: Everyone deserves a chance to be listened to. “The first thing to keep in mind is that all people deserve empathy and respect. This even applies to those people who seem to not provide it to others,” said Mitchell. Attempt to understand the other point of view: When the other person has finished with their perspective, try to summarize it back to them and have them correct anything if necessary. As Mitchell said, “sometimes we hear things much different[ly] from what people are really trying to say. Make sure you communicate back what they really meant.” And just because they are presenting a different view than yours does not mean they’re opposing it; there is a spectrum. O’Brien said, “...asking people where on that continuum are they standing and why rather than assuming that they’re fully on this side or fully on that side” can be very helpful. “I statements”/understanding that your opinions are just opinions Using “I” statements helps to convey that everything is from your perspective, and not necessarily a fact. Some examples of “I” statements include: “I believe that…”, “ I’ve noticed…”, “I think...” and “I feel…”. This helps you indicate that you are speaking on your own behalf and that this is how you view things, not how things actually are.
Ending a conversation “Listening does not mean agreeing” - Josh Mitchell The reasoning behind a conversation is not to change minds, and we should be comfortable with the fact that most conversations will not result in an agreement. Rather, be grateful for what you have learned. In regards to agreeing, O’Brien remarked that “we love resolution, we love to know we won, we love to know we’re right, but standing face to face with somebody and looking them in the eye and agreeing to disagree, I think [that] can be a very powerful tool.” Connect to topics of agreement afterward Finding middle ground on a subject is an important piece. Especially when you are approaching the end of the discussion, it can create a sense of crossover and can help to humanize each other. Mutual agreement and respect is a key part of any conversation. Say thank you! Always say thank you at the end of the discussion. Not only does this make the other person feel appreciated, but it also lets them know that even if you don’t agree, you are still thankful for their opinion, and that furthers your relationship as peers.
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Graphic by Knoopy Yi and Olivia Near
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The death of the GOP The demise of the Republican Party, and how changing its demographic appeal could save its uncertain future by Parker Briggs Image by Parker Briggs
Let’s face it; the Republican Party is in trouble. Regardless of this election’s outcome, the future does not look good for the party of Lincoln. With baby boomers comprising the majority of its voter base, it lacks a sustainable business model. According to a report by Pew Research Center, millennials are two times more likely to register as Democrat than Republican. And as Democratic leaders have taken a stronger stance for social justice, younger voters have flocked to the left in droves. In response to this trend, older generations reacted by voting red with increasing consistency. Leaders of the Grand Old Party— quick to smell blood— thrusted themselves on board by stressing policies especially attractive to these elderly voters. This has produced some success for the Republican Party: it provided the edge of support in 2016 needed to land President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. But that marginal victory came at
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a severe cost—the alienation of younger voters and those who are not white, evangelical Christians. The impact of this will certainly be felt in the 2020 election, and will only become more pronounced as time passes. By zeroing in on white, elderly, and religious voters, the Republican Party has driven away a significant part of its potential voter base— and the same sectors it must secure to survive past the next few decades. Acting alone, the GOP’s narrow voter base can do little to support the party’s future. With increasing ethnic diversity in the country, and apostasy among Christian youth at an all-time high, the white, Christian voter constituency is decaying at both ends. Since 2016, Republican policy has been based less on specific economic, social or political ideology, and more on the particularly volatile emotions of Trump. This is dangerous not only to the American public, but also to the interests of the GOP. The president is an especially polarizing figure, even
among Republicans; and while drawing passionate support, he has had the effect of solidifying the Republican Party’s transformation from a political identity to a cultural one. To avoid becoming a party of the past, the GOP has no choice but to make some deliberate, and perhaps fundamental changes in its approach to rounding up supporters. Most vitally to its cause, it needs to attract a new set of voters more representative of the nation’s demographics. How can it achieve this? The answer is not complicated. Since the party is currently digging its own grave, step one is to just put down the shovel. Instead of chaining themselves to trends that ensure their future demise, Republican leaders will need to open their minds to something that may seem foreign: data, and most critically, logic. Solving the GOP’s woes would mean shaping up its game where it is currently failing the most—by using demographic
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shifts to its advantage. Because the party’s primary instruments are its policy and outward appearance to the public, it must look into how it can manipulate these to grow its appeal among crucial demographics. Naturally, an exhaustive ideological overhaul would be both harmful and self-defeating: too sharp a swing would turn off its voters, and by changing its basic principles, they might as well vote Democrat. But such substantial reform is not only impractical but unnecessary; this is why subtlety and tact regarding policy formulation will be the key to future Republican political strategy. Through only minor policy changes, imperceptible to most of its voter base, and a strategically adjusted public presence, the GOP could still attract youths from broader demographics, and voters from the blue-leaning group of college-educated Americans. While the Democratic Party has done very well at attracting sustainable demographics, it is surprisingly not number one. Inspiration to guide Republican reform may instead have to come from an unexpected place: the Libertarian Party. Most know it is the third largest political party in the United States. Surprisingly, it’s also the country’s fastest growing political party, with voter registration swelling 92% between 2008 and 2018. Most significantly, this voter base is the youngest of any party. This sunny demographic forecast Libertarians have is something valuable that Republicans do not. Now, this is not an endorsement of Libertarian politics, nor of any politics— even Republican or Democratic. This is simply an analysis as to what works and what does not in the current political climate, and how the GOP can avoid its destiny to crash and burn. To the public, Libertarian beliefs seem
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vague and without direction—often because they are. However, its supporters generally follow the motto, “fiscally responsible, socially tolerant.” Between democrats and republicans, this is an almost non-existent combination in the mainstream 2020 political scene. In the battle of social values, Libertarianism’s “social tolerance” seems to have already prevailed. While the Democratic Party is obviously and invariably seen as progressive, it’s easy to ignore how much change has occurred within the Republican Party, and how socially tolerant it has actually become— even while it’s still conservative compared to the Democratic Party. Looking at America as a whole, the victory of social progressivism is dramatic.
most: appealing to the country’s social conscience. Because social progressivism is bound to define the future of America’s socio-political frontier, the Republican Party has only to acknowledge the present trends and acquiescently jump aboard to end its period of demographically-founded decline. By easing on certain fronts such as government-enforced “family values,” and instead developing a more socially tolerant persona, the GOP could go far. Granted, this would be painful for some hardcore conservatives, but generally speaking from their perspective, these are battles that have already been lost. It is indeed difficult to imagine Mitch McConnell shifting towards moderate, but as a general trend it is not altogether out of the picture. During the second Bush administration, arguably the biggest partisan issue was waging war in the Iraq and Afghanistan era. Today, Trump’s distaste for involvement in foreign affairs is markedly uncharacteristic of the GOP as defined by Bush; if anything, it is more Democratic or Libertarian than traditional Republican. Yet the president continues pulling troops from the Middle East, and Republicans cheer him on.
Take an example: same-sex marriage. Today, nearly 7 out of 10 of Americans voice approval for same-sex marriage, which is almost a 30% increase from two decades ago. This was an issue long supported by Libertarian activists. Following the deployment of the National Guard to Portland, the recent surge in opposition to police brutality and federal government overreach aligns neatly with the Libertarian partiality to limited government, and its antipathy for federal supremacy. Put simply, the Libertarians have succeeded where Republicans failed the
This profound shift in ideology shows that significant and even radical change can indeed occur within a party, even within a short period of time. Because of this, it is not unreasonable to believe that the GOP still has a chance to get back in shape and play a dominant role in future politics. More often than not, Republicans are not the irredeemable fascists or homophobes some paint them to be. In fact, Republicans have seen the same increase in approval of same-sex marriage as has the rest of the country. The social tolerance requisite to attract more socially-conscious voters, in many cases, already exists within the GOP. The party’s rhetoric just has to align with
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these beliefs. If the Republican Party is comfortable being relatively progressive in social values, why turn off potential ideological allies by spurting out rhetoric inconsistent with its general beliefs? To provide an example, illegal immigration is an issue that has more to do with rhetoric than numbers and policy. The number of deportations during the first three years of the Obama administration was nearly 1.2 million people, while those under the Trump administration barely exceeded 800,000. While Trump has repeatedly stated his support for legal immigration, it is natural that immigrants would view him as nativist and xenophobic. A president’s respectful tolerance towards immigrants, even illegal ones, would not be new for the Republican party. Ronald Reagan followed this sentiment, and George H.W. Bush epitomized it. Donald Trump, though, not so much. Is he a racist? Maybe or maybe not. But by chanting “build the wall” and “send them back,” his supporters haven’t exactly made immigrants feel welcome in the GOP. By rethinking the Republican approach to discussing immigration— and not, necessarily, even the policies regarding it—the GOP as a whole would fare much better. Look at Florida, for example. It is a key battleground state in presidential elections, providing 29 electoral votes. It is also home to roughly 1.6 million Cubans, immigrants who, in many cases, immigrated to America due to the failures of Cuba’s socialist government. Theoretically speaking, they should be easy to secure as Republican voters, given the party’s fundamental principle of limited government and pro-capitalist economics. Indeed, this has been the case for years. Both senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are of Cuban descent.
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However, likely as a result of antiimmigration rhetoric, members of this population are voting increasingly blue. By projecting an improved sense of social tolerance while continuing to stress the Republican values of small government and personal freedom, which tend to contrast socialism, the GOP could secure just enough votes to turn Florida reliably red. Additionally, by maintaining integrity and continuity in its policy decisions, the party could attract another set of voters through ideological persuasion. Although socialistic policies are gaining momentum, the logic of fiscally conservative economics may hold a similar, alternate intellectual appeal. College-educated Americans, a group leaning strongly and increasingly to the left, could find the economic logic and rationality of fiscal conservatism alluring. However, to be explored by these curious minds, it would first have to become more palatable.
"Although socialistic policies are gaining momentum, the logic of fiscally conservative economics may hold a similar, alternate intellectual appeal." And the truth is, young Americans have a pretty predictable palette. They want to make a difference; they want to change the world for the better. Most importantly, they want to see themselves as instruments of positive change, because it makes them feel important and valuable to society as a whole. It’s no secret how this typically plays out. The appearance of compassion and humanitarianism inherent in social
progressivism make the Democratic Party the popular choice. But, to the potential gain of the GOP, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Today, most youth see the laissez-faire concept of “trickle-down” economics as an inhumane wealth grab by the rich. 40 years ago however, these same economic principles rocketed candidate Ronald Reagan to the presidency with the support of over 60% of college students. During the 1980s, the GOP was the primary party for young Americans. What changed? More than anything, it was the party’s approach to its beliefs—how they were presented. “Reaganomics,” a full incarnation of the trickle-down theory, was aimed at helping every American: the poor and working class, as well as the wealthy. It followed the belief that cutting taxes would help float every boat, and was a message of unity between classes where all Americans would benefit. The biggest selling point was the sense of optimism, positivity and patriotism Reagan and his party pumped into it. This sort of presentation worked; the strategy was a booming success. A common sentiment among youth was that “Reagan made me feel proud of my country again.” Like many current Democratic policies, it channeled into young American’s hope for the future and their longing to make a difference. This same sense of meaning for youth is a resource just as strong and accessible today. Youth have not changed, but the Republican Party still can. This piece is intended purely as an analysis of demographic trends and does not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of its author Parker Briggs, Inkwell, or Annie Wright Schools.
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GEN Z
What political issues do you care most about?
GEN X
“Climate change and the degradation of political respect in our country.” - Nico Cefalu (USB ’23)
“Healthcare, the pandemic, immigrant rights.” - parents of Nico Cefalu (USB '23)
“The Green New Deal, Medicare for all, universal basic income, public and more accessible university and college education.” - Sasha Zhang (USG ’23)
“Voting rights, equality, education, accessible healthcare.” - parents of Sasha Zhang (USG '23)
“Climate change, the economy, COVID-19 response racial justice, gender equality.” - Tyson Johnston (USB ’23)
“Getting Trump out of office, abortion rights.” - mother of Tyson Johnston (USB '23)
Do you often talk about politics with your parents and/or grandparents?
“Almost every night we talk about it after the news, though rarely do we disagree.”- Nico Cefalu (USB '23) “I talk about politics often with my mom, but not anyone else in my family.” - Sasha Zhang (USG '23) “I talk mostly with my mom about politics. I do not know much about my dad. I try not to [talk about politics with] my grandparents because we would not agree on many things." - Tyson Johnston (USB '23)
Do you have to explain certain issues you care about to other family members?
“With most topics we’re on the same page, but when it comes to social justice and racial issues it does tend to be a little harder for me to explain… my dad, who is Italian, thought that the whole idea of Indigenous People’s day was irreverent, and stated that Columbus Day is something that many Italian Americans take great pride in. As for them explaining things to me I generally understand what they are talking about, but my mom does tend to explain the idea of a coup or collapse of democracy a lot as she witnessed it in Chile when she was a child.” - Nico Cefalu (USB '23) “I don’t often have to explain what different topics are to my parents and they are also pretty open minded to my ideas, but I have to explain why my views might differ. When I learn about new political ideas or policies that I like, I bring them up to my mom to see what her opinion [is]. She doesn't always agree with my beliefs, but she does allow for space to have discussions about them.” - Sasha Zhang (USG '23) “I do have to explain many things to family. But that might be more to do with me being more interested in political theory. I also sometimes ask for my parents to explain their opinions to me.” - Tyson Johnston (USB '23)
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Do you think the generational gap within your families creates tension when/if you talk about politics?
“The only point that I find comes into contention is about the President’s effect on democracy in the U.S., with my mom being of the opinion that this resembles the time before the military coup in Chile almost 50 years ago.” - Nico Cefalu (USB '23) “Besides my mom and I, my family doesn’t really have discussions about politics. Current events and policies are mentioned at times, but we don’t debate them often. I wouldn’t say my family has strong political views. Of course, they have opinions, but politics are not a big part of their lives, and they are not very politically active." - Sasha Zhang (USG '23) “It does create some tension, most noticeable at family events such as Thanksgiving, usually between my parents and others of their generation vs the older generations… I do think the political differences are less of a generational thing and more of an individual experience thing, because there are some exceptions. My uncle for example is part of my parents generation but his politics are much more conservative than others in the same generation.” - Tyson Johnston (USB '23)
Overall, do you think your political opinions align with those of family members from other generations? “…On the whole, we are pretty close in ideology, though I tend to be more focused on the environment, and [they are more focused] on the conduct of the president.” - Nico Cefalu (USB '23)
“My views align somewhat with my parents, but my parents are more moderate Democrats. I’m not sure if I align with the Democratic Party, and I’m starting to lean more towards the Green Party.” - Sasha Zhang (USG '23) “No. To me it seems like as the generations get younger, the political opinions become more left. My grandparents being conservative, my parents being liberal, and me being socialist.” - Tyson Johnston (USB '23)
For more on political conversations between family members, check out our article titled "Politics in family: does the apple fall far from the tree?" on pg. 2.
O K B O O M E R Does a generational gap within families contribute to political misunderstanding? by Lauren Cook
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USPS in the time of COVID The controversy that could affect the election by Clara Wessells With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 isn’t a great year for anyone. However, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is especially suffering. Due to financial problems and political manipulation, there is concern that the USPS will not be able to deliver all the ballots for the presidential election on time. Since it became an independent agency in 1971, the USPS has been repeatedly under attack as the amount of mail that it handles has decreased. Over the last half decade, there have been numerous claims that the USPS is not worth funding and having as a government agency because it is not doing any better than its private competitors. Currently, there is talk of privatizing the post office. Privatizing the USPS would make it less reliable and much more expensive. Along with issues like the delivery of medication or other essentials, cutting USPS's funding could seriously affect the upcoming 2020 presidential election by preventing ballots from getting in on time. In March and April of this year, with the creation of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the USPS requested 89 billion dollars to help pay off its debt and replace equipment to better their ability to provide for U.S. citizens. The Democrats of the House wanted to give the USPS a check for 25 billion dollars as a part of the CARES Act. The Trump Administration blocked this;
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Mask by USPS mailbox near AWS. Photo by Clara Wessells
President Donald Trump threatened to veto the bill if it involved money for the USPS. Eventually, the aid came by way of a 10 billion dollar loan from the US Treasury. Louis DeJoy, a longtime Trump supporter, was appointed the US Postmaster General in May 2020. DeJoy took over after Megan Brennan retired. In August, DeJoy tried to remove mailboxes and cut down on delivery runs and sorting equipment, among other things. 20 states sued, saying that he was taking these actions to purposefully make it difficult for citizens to be able to get their ballots in on time. Washington state is leading a lawsuit along with 13 other states that connect Trump’s tweets about mail-in voting to DeJoy’s sudden actions. According to a statement from Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, DeJoy "acted outside of his authority to implement changes to the postal system, and did not follow the proper procedures under federal law." The changes have since been postponed until after the 2020 election.
the USPS will factor into the upcoming election...An inefficient and inaccessible voting system feels like a serious threat to American democracy. In terms of DeJoy’s actions, it’s hard to determine what his true intentions are. I’m inclined to believe that they were purposeful and directed toward sabotaging the voting process—it makes no sense to restrict its operational capacity in the direct follow-up to an election, even if the USPS has been struggling with financial problems.”
Callista Wessells, 20, is a Seattle-native sophomore at Cornell University. This will be her first presidential election that she is able to vote in. She requested and mailed her absentee ballot in midSeptember.
The USPS has been struggling financially ever since the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act required it to pre-fund their retiree’s healthcare 75 years into the future. In the last 15 years, the USPS has racked up about 119.3 billion dollars in debt. This has made it unable to invest in growth and new equipment. In 2020, its financial troubles were heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Congress sets all its rates and also requires it to deliver to every single household in the USA. The USPS is unable to receive tax dollars for operating costs and relies solely on postage sales for revenue and salary funds. As one of the largest government agencies, USPS employs around 600,000 people. At first glance, it appears to be thriving, now cash-flow-positive for three years. In reality, USPS has been suffering since the 2006 Act.
In response to the current concerns about ballot distribution, she said, “I definitely am worried about the way
If the USPS does not receive the funding it needs, there might not even be a public postal system in the near future.
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Student activist spotlight Registering voters with Isabella Iregui by Gabrielle Krieger Isabella Iregui is a Sophomore at Annie Wright who volunteers with the Save the Children Action Network where she worked to educate and register potential voters.
Isabella Iregui (USG '23) became a student ambassador for the Save the Children Action Network in her Freshman year of high school. Save the Children, a humanitarian organization founded in 1919 in the UK, has branches across the world, including one in Washington. According to Iregui, the primary goal of the organization is to “provide representation for kids across the world.” However, COVID-19 created challenges for Iregui and her group of ambassadors. For instance, their plans to travel to Washington D.C. last year for an annual Save the Children trip was cancelled. Despite these setbacks, her group still meets once a week to discuss current events and to plan future initiatives. As the 2020 presidential election nears, one such issue the ambassadors worked on is registering voters. In doing so, Iregui hoped to address issues of voter suppression, which she said is tied “into racism in our government and our country.” To help register voters, she and other ambassadors contacted relatives and friends, electronically or more often via postcard, to share resources on how they can register to vote and on how they can get informed on election-related issues. Her interest in fighting voter suppression through registering voters stemmed from her belief that, “being able to vote as a citizen if you’re eligible is just a basic human right… you should be able to vote for the person you think represents you and our country’s best interests,” she said.
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Even if you aren’t eligible to vote, Iregui said there are ways to get involved with elections. For instance, she encouraged people aged 16 or 17 to pre-register to vote. That way, for the next election, “your voter registration is immediately processed and you will be immediately sent your ballot,” she said. For people under 16, there are other routes to getting involved. “If you’re not eligible to preregister, you can still encourage your family members and friends who are [eligible] to do so,” Iregui said.
“Being able to vote as a citizen if you're eligible is just a basic human right... you should be able to vote for the person you think represents you and your country's best interests."
In considering whether or not your vote matters, Isabella Iregui reminded: “There are around like 100 million people who decided not to vote last election and I think every single one of them decided their vote didn’t matter when collectively, it definitely does.” She also advised potential voters, “it doesn’t matter if you’re left wing or you’re right wing, it’s still your responsibility to vote.”
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Gerrymandering: the looming threat to our political integrity by Sebastian Bush
Graphic by Sebastian Bush.
As the 2020 elections grow increasingly near, one aspect of voting is often brought up. Election hacking. However, something that is not as often talked about might pose a much larger threat to the sanctity of our voting system. That thing is gerrymandering.
The basic premise of gerrymandering is to control where voters are located in districts, so when the election comes, one side has an advantage in the number of districts won. This strategy of unfairly portraying the voter population has been around for a long time, and continues to haunt us today. Inkwell talked with Dr. Terry BabcockLumish, founder of Islay Consulting LLC (a company focusing on policymaking and political consulting) and executive secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, about the threat posed by gerrymandering.
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Inkwell: What is gerrymandering?
outcome in November.
Babcock-Lumish: We read a
Inkwell: From your sense, how
great deal about gerrymandering along Republican and Democratic political party lines today, but it's nothing new! As far back as 1812, Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry and his DemocraticRepublican colleagues redrew the local district lines in a way that squeezed opposing Federalist party voters into only a handful of curiously shaped precincts. The manipulated state electoral map looked ridiculous, and yet, became the law of the land. Rather than resembling reasonable political geography, the new district lines resembled a salamander, hence the Federalist newspaper at the time coining the term "Gerrymander." What we see today is usually "packing" or "cracking." Packing is when one party’s votes are concentrated into a district, increasing its chances of winning. In contrast, cracking is when a party's votes are splintered into safe districts for the opposing party.
Inkwell: How common is it today? Babcock-Lumish: Too
common. Elections matter on the local, state, and federal levels alike. However, to look at just our U.S. Congressional districts as an example, very few of them are truly competitive any given autumn. Consequently, it is often the primary that indicates, more often than not, the
many American citizens are aware of gerrymandering happening around them?
Babcock-Lumish: We political
junkies have discussed this for many election cycles. However, I think voters learned more about the practice in 2017, when the Supreme Court ruled in Gill v. Whitford that gerrymandering is not unconstitutional. Increasingly, polling data indicates that Americans don't feel that their voices and votes are being adequately reflected or protected. On a purely anecdotal level, I recall many of my students, preparing to vote for the first time in the 2018 cycle, were very upset by the Supreme Court ruling. For them, it was the first time they realized there were structural inequities in American voting. What I also appreciated was that instead of simply complaining, many got involved.
Inkwell: How big of an impact does it really have on elections?
Babcock-Lumish:
Electoral distortions affect our elections a great deal, but not all gerrymandering looks the same. For example, there is gerrymandering that protects incumbents. There is also
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gerrymandering that keeps voters in largely minority or low-income districts concentrated, diluting their voices.
Inkwell: How worried should people be?
Babcock-Lumish: For anyone who cares about a truly representative democracy or our elected officials having incentives to govern effectively, very. One should be concerned when candidates or elected officials pick the voters, rather than we, as voters, rightly and fairly pick our elected officials.
Inkwell: How can we try to
reform the way we draw out districts to minimize gerrymandering? What type of redistricting committee is the fairest?
Babcock-Lumish:
Redistricting is the process by which each state redraws political lines to balance the population among districts. In many states, these new maps are drawn by the state legislatures, but this can introduce partisanship, depending on which party holds power. Consequently, many states have independent and bipartisan commissions draw the maps instead.
Inkwell: How can voters have an impact on this?
Babcock-Lumish: One of the
best things a concerned voter can do to remedy this is, for starters, to participate in the U.S. Census because redistricting is directly informed by it. If you're not participating in the Census, you're not being counted. Making sure your voice
is heard and represented begins with having an accurate snapshot of our country every 10 years. Then, if one is concerned about the actual redistricting policy specifically, get involved!
Dr. Babcock Lumish also mentioned the RedMap project, a GOP initiative to control swing states in the favor of Republicans via gerrymandering. The project relies on advanced mapping softwares to precisely determine and draw out the district lines in favor of Republican officials. In 2018, RedMap saw the Supreme Court in Gill vs. Whitford, a case which sought to prove that this kind of gerrymandering was illegal. Dr. Babcock-Lumish suggests looking at trusted non-partisan new sources for more information.
Student art submission .
"Political Flames" by Freshmen Adwaya Bage
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Pandemic voting causes pandemonium by Julia Henning and Olivia Near From March to November, voting protocols across the country changed because of COVID-19. For some, the process of voting will seem very different from previous years. On the other hand, new voters will not know the difference. There have been a lot of factors that have made voting more difficult this year. However there has also been more emphasis on voting through advertisements, forums and even on social media. For Matt Borus and Emily Smith, Ph.D candidates at the University of Chicago, voting in the primaries occurred at a time when knowledge around COVID-19 was limited. Both participated in voting on the UChicago campus in March before the university had officially decided to close campus for spring quarter. Closures were occurring quickly nevertheless, as UChicago announced its closure shortly after. And according to Borus, the governor announced that schools would close for two weeks while he was standing in line to vote. The protocol was different at the time for COVID-19 regulations. While lines were marked around the street for social distancing and sanitization of voting machines was frequent, every voter touched and passed around the same clipboard, and mask wearing was not common at all. “I was still hearing a lot of conflicting information about masks because they hadn’t figured out the [technicality]. People were saying that only a N95 mask would protect you,” said Smith. For the November presidential and local elections, both Smith and Borus will be filling out their ballots at home and dropping them off at a nearby dropbox due to health concerns and to decrease the contact for poll workers as well. In addition to voting changes, Borus spoke to the change in general about the election and organizing that COVID-19 has brought.
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“One thing that is really striking is the turnout in organizing work has massively changed, even on a local level,” said Borus. “The fact that so much is happening in non-contact ways leaves so many questions about ‘is that effective’ or ‘how many people are being reached’? Is a text via phone likely to be as effective as a door conversation? In the past, I know the general feeling has been if someone says ‘get away from my door,’ you’re still able to leave a card of information there. And a lot of that is not happening right now and how that’s going to affect the outcome, who knows?” In Washington state, millions of voters are casting their ballots for the upcoming election, and many young adults have registered as new voters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The fact that so much is happening in non-contact ways leaves so many questions about ‘is that effective’ or ‘how many people are being reached’? Is a text via phone likely to be as effective as a door conversation?" Maleila Henry-Mitchell (USG '21), a new voter, recently attended an online event which helped to inform registering voters, and they feel that “there’s definitely a lot of material encouraging people to vote… by the actual parties, but also groups that support.” Now that a large portion of workplaces and schools are virtual, and technology has become more necessary on a day to day basis, there is more opportunity for widespread outreach and encouragement. In terms of mail-in voting, Henry-Mitchell went on to say that
INKWELL | NOVEMBER 2020
Photo of Covid-19 and voting supplies by Julia Henning
they feel comfortable with how the voting process is working in Washington state, saying that “Washington has been doing mail in voting for so long. I think if I were in a state where that was new this year I would definitely be worried about the steps that are being taken to mess with that system.” Nelson Athow (USB '21), a new voter in Washington state this year, also feels confident in the COVID-19 voting system, remarking that “in terms of the casting of my ballot I don’t have any concerns. I’m already registered and I should be getting mail in time for the vote; and if for some reason that gets lost it shouldn’t be a problem for me to vote in person if that’s necessary.”
Brecklin Brown: “when I watch the news, all I see is arguing between democrats and republicans. When I watch the news, all I see is citizen fighting against citizen. … If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along?” The younger population is looking for political collaboration to lessen the impact of COVID-19, and speed up the recovery process.
"The younger population is looking for political collaboration to lessen the impact of COVID-19, and speed up the recovery process."
Regarding COVID-19 policies, Henry Mitchell mentioned that “it’s been a little lighter on policy [this year,] and more about trashing each other. I think it would be a much more worthy use of time if they were talking about their policies.”
Smith gave advice to first time voters to look at the propositions that could change parts of your city’s systems for taxing or education.
This general perspective seems to be reflected in the younger population, and corresponds with the final question of the first 2020 vice presidential debate, as posed by high school student
“Pay attention to your local election,” said Smith. “Those are the things I think are easier to affect change, so look at who your representatives are. Look at who the circuit judges that are up for election in your area are.”
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ANNIE WRIGHT POLITICS
by Parker Briggs
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