Politics Club and Women in Politics Club provide an open forum for productive dialogue across political differences.
As the political temperature heats up with the upcoming presidential election, campuses across America are engaging in political discourse more fervently than ever. Not far behind this trend is the Politics Club and Womens in Politics club. The two clubs’ current heads are working to make sure that Middlesex students remain informed and curious about the upcoming election.
In a world in which the subject of politics is so polarizing and our government representatives are often abusive towards one another, it can be hard to create a space where politics can be an informative conversation, rather than a threatening one. Politics Club seeks to bridge the gap between Democratic and Republican ideals, and find a middle ground where debate and disagreement can flourish, as club head Caio Bernadini states, “It’s important for the Middlesex community to have a space that allows for candid dialogue and debate.”
With the responsibility that comes with engaging in such sensitive topics, that may affect individuals of all political standings, also comes with the challenge of leading discussion in a way to not change one’s beliefs but challenge them through healthy discourse. Of course, to cater to all demographics who participate in meetings is “a really tough task.” However, the heads believe that their varying political affiliations “cancel each other out,” lending to a more empathetic environment for discussion. Despite their persistent efforts to make the club as inclusive and neutral as possible, the heads expressed the difficulties they face with keeping emotion out of the discussion. “They do not want debate to expand into insults of character or beliefs,” similarly to how our elected officials behave toward one another.
Historically, Politics Club has been a male dominated space, in which some girls may feel intimidated to use their voices and express their opinions. This is why senior Sofia Senunas has introduced Womens in Politics Club to the Middlesex community, a place in which women can feel comfortable to voice their opinions without fear of judgment. Senunas observed from her own experience that “girls can feel like they don’t have the knowledge or the capacity to speak up at Politics Club” and therefore shy away from conversation. Senunas noted that systemically, politics has been hostile for women; with issues such as abortions and women’s rights on a rapid incline, girls are seeking a place where they can openly discuss these matters.
Ultimately, Women in Politics Club is not a counter to Politics Club, but a partnership. The heads of each club have discussed ways to work to inform and educate Middlesex together–Senunas noted plans for a weekly current events announcement. Both clubs are instrumental for the Middlesex community to think critically and with compassion so that our campus is composed of a more informed citizenry.
Kat Stephens
Indresh Chandel