Emma Li

We ultimately live with other people, not news segments or trending threads. Whether at a club meeting, work or community event, find comfort in commonalities you share with others: beliefs, hobbies and anxieties alike.

For the past year, the presidential election embedded itself into our daily lives. Whether scrolling through social media, chatting at dinner or debating during class discussions, political tensions rose as Nov. 5th approached.

Campaigns and media coverage painted an image of a country on the brink of economic, political and civil armageddon that depended on a particular ballot. Debate over individual liberties, from abortion access to LGBTQ+ rights and national issues, from immigration to inflation, intensified on both state and national levels. More than anything, this election cycle highlighted the distrust in democracy widespread throughout the nation.

The 2024 election is over. Regardless of personal views on the results, it’s difficult to walk away with confidence in our ability to ground ourselves in policy and connect with each other.

Although elections might generate the most buzz and attention, it is important to remember that they are not the end-all-be-all of our future. The presidential election will not affect our daily lives as much as local policy decisions and community members.

When we come to understand issues and people through the news and social media, it is easy to feel frustrated and powerless. Negative partisanship, or content promoting ‘out-party’ hate over ‘in-party’ love, promises more clicks and engagement but also exaggerates a sense of distance and polarization within the population. Being an informed member of society cannot and should not stop at the digital screen.

We ultimately live with other people, not news segments or trending threads. Whether at a club meeting, work or community event, find comfort in commonalities you share with others: beliefs, hobbies and anxieties alike. Not only will seeking positive discourse help calm your anxieties, but also discoursing with those outside of your bubble will help everyone become and operate better informed.

The issues we care about, like bodily rights, immigration and the economy, are not going to fade away with the end of November. Although the chance to vote for our representatives might have passed for now, every day is a chance to make your voice heard. Ultimately, the election does not represent the end of political engagement and community support.

There are opportunities at school like phone banking with Green Team or attending an affinity group meeting. Outside of school, we can show up at community forums like council meetings and town halls. Especially for the majority of the student body who cannot vote, it is important to take advantage of these opportunities that connect us to our representatives.

If you’re not comfortable putting yourself out there politically, you can still impact the community. Countless volunteering opportunities are available online or in Director of Community Service Kerry Enzensperger’s office for you to take action without necessarily being in the spotlight. Community is a two-way street: support only comes from showing up for and building trust in relationships with others.

The Bay Area, let alone the nation, is so much bigger than City Hall or your social media algorithm. Though elections serve as the foundation for our democracy, it is up to us to build upon them through political participation and community service. In order to improve our individual communities, it is essential that we connect and understand others in them beyond polarized and one-dimensional narratives.