A growing number of our peers have told us they feel apathetic about the future of the country. It is critical that we remain hopeful, engage in local politics and lean on our communities for support. Local governments make many of the decisions that most immediately impact the lives of Americans. Meetings of local officials offer an avenue for affecting real change in a community. These meetings are available to the public by law, but are often under-attended.
Citizens can start with local advocacy such as donating to or volunteering for organizations that provide health services to underserved populations. The San Francisco Free Clinic relies on volunteers and donations to support their operations.
San Francisco Community Health Center engages in health policy work to challenge discriminatory practices and promote inclusive healthcare systems. They also have a Community Policy Board, where community members can participate in policy advocacy while staying informed about local health policy developments.
According to LawsLearned.com, citizens can also influence technological policies by participating in public consultation, such as filling out surveys and forums. Public responses can help the government understand the needs of the people and give them direction. Furthermore, public engagement can provide vital data analytics that policy makers can use when planning future policies.
Frequenting institutions that preserve and promote cultural heritage and diversity, including museums and galleries ensures that they stay open. These brick-and-mortar institutions, such as the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts and the Museum of the African Diaspora, are devoted to highlighting the worlds’ range of art, music and traditions.
In a time where an infinite amount of information is at our fingertips, it is important to hone media literacy skills in order to combat misinformation. Media literacy is defined as the “ability to access and analyze media messages.” There are five key steps to keep in mind when media literacy skills to our everyday consumption.
First, identify the source of your information, its credibility and potential biases. Second, fact-check claims. Reliable outlets provide evidence, primary sources and expert opinions to validate their claims. Third, be critical of sensational or emotional content. While emotion is not the absence of logic, be wary of content with clickbait headlines or designed to provoke strong emotions. Fourth, diversify your news sources. Consume news from a variety of different sources to avoid echo chambers and more easily spot misinformation. Support your local library by getting a library card, allowing you to access physical and digital media. Fifth, educate yourself and others. Misinformation and propaganda can look like sponsored or stereotyping content.
Most importantly, now is the time to engage with our communities. As outlined in a previous staff editorial about election anxiety, political eventspolitical events evoke strong emotions such as anxiety, fear and depression. We need to approach one another with empathy, check in with friends and family, have difficult conversations, and remain vigilant in protecting our loved ones and neighbors.
While headline after headline can be exhausting, now is not the time to grow apathetic; it is time to be civically engaged and make a change in our communities. Our most important tool in the preservation of democracy is each other.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
