One Last Time

By: Emma Greenberg

Today marked our last day of #EloninIowa. I am leaving here with memories, campaign experience, as a much more informed voter, and of course- with lots of paper cuts. Today we also went to the #WeThePeople2020 forum that featured Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Pete, Amy Klobochar, Deval Patrick, Andrew Yang, and John Delaney. While it was an incredibly long event, I knew it would probably be my last chance to hear the candidates speak for a while. 

At the event, there were some highs, some lows, and some weird moments per usual. One thing in particular that has stood out to me was the way each candidate handled the question on voting reform, specifically in regards to former incarcerated individuals. I personally believe that all Americans should be able to vote regardless if they have committed a crime. My exception to that opinion is in instances of murder and sexual assault. However, for other crimes I believe that you should be able to vote even while you are in prison, which is already legal in Maine and Vermont. Out of the candidates there, Andrew Yang surprisingly shared this thought the most. He did not make exceptions for cases of sexual assault, just murder. 

Overall, I definitely believe that, after this trip, I am a more educated voter. Not only that, but I believe that I have become a better and more well rounded global citizen. While many of the issues discussed were domestic issues, I think our class did a good job of discussing the issues with an international lense. So while impeachment is going on in America, it began with a call to Ukraine and the outcomes of it will affect people globally. To me, this directly relates to one of our global learning goals: to examine your responsibilities as an active global citizen informed by multiple perspectives. 

While I am definitely ready to go home, (my bed is calling my name) I could not be more thankful for this experience. I was able to do some of the coolest things – meet my political heros as well as attend a CNN debate (Best. Night. Ever.) I have definitely re-evaluated some of my views and opinions; and while I don’t believe that many of them changed, I am able to take a step back and understand my biases more. With the 2020 elections so close, a lot is at stake. I am both ready and anxious to graduate, and to jump in the campaign gain. I want to make a difference, to make the world a better place for someone other than myself. While this might be my last blog post, it is no where close to the end of my political engagement.