To the Editor:
This is an open letter to the progressives on campus. It is fine to feel sad. I’m not ashamed to admit that last Wednesday was probably the worst day of my life; but we cannot allow that sadness to discourage us from continuing to fight for our beliefs. Democracy is bigger than one man, one party, one Congress. We must be there to fight Bush’s radical agenda every step of the way. Do not forget that youth came out in record numbers. The media will try to tell you that we didn’t live up to our commitment to vote in high numbers. We did. Every other group came out at record rates, so our accomplishment was muted by comparison; but we were out there. I am confident that the youth will stay strong and continue to vote in higher numbers than we have seen in past elections. There is only one way that we can assure that my hope is well-founded, though. That is by continuing to fight strongly to get out the word about our progressive values.
It is easy to fall into despair and shy away from politics now. I have already heard friends speak in ways that implies that they feel their efforts were for nothing. They weren’t for nothing. The President is quick to point out that he garnered the largest number of votes cast for any president in history. However, you will probably not hear him mention that he is also the president with the largest number of votes ever cast for a challenger.
Millions of Americans made their voices heard and we must ensure that our voices and theirs continue to be heard. A three percent difference is not a mandate.
There are so many ways that you can contribute to the political dialogue. Many of them take no more than several minutes at a time. Sign up for progressive e-mail lists and take action when they ask you to write a letter to your senators and representatives (often a pre-written form letter that simply requires 30 seconds of your time to send). Volunteer at or consider working for non-profit organizations.
There are so many people in our country and the world at large who need our help. Our responsibility to them does not vanish because of the results of any election. Never forget the power of one on one conversations as well. Speak up when someone on campus says something with which you do not agree. Don’t be confrontational, but calmly and clearly explain why your values have led you to come to another conclusion.
Finally, I recommend George Lakoff’s book, Don’t Think of an Elephant, for anyone interested in framing arguments for the progressive movement in an effective way. Keep the faith, people. Bush wants you to get discouraged and give up now. It’ll make his attack on American values over the next four years all the easier.
Brian Whipple
CSCI/PSYC ’05
