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The Gatepost Editorial: Apathy is not an option

Editorial Board

By The Gatepost Editorial Board The actions taken by President Donald Trump during his first 10 days back in office have made the future of the United States appear bleak. As of presstime, Trump has signed 24 executive orders, and we are sure you have heard about most if not all of them. His executive orders - freezing federal spending, deporting immigrants, halting critical race theory from being taught in school, to name a few - have been overwhelming, to say the least. However, while this has been scary, staying hopeful and standing up for what you believe in has never been more important. The “shock and awe” normalized by this administration is designed to overwhelm you, but you can't let it control your life. There is an oversaturation of information concerning current politics being posted from all sides on all social media platforms. Rather than doom scrolling on social media, turning to trusted news sources and fact checking information is crucial to limiting unneeded stress. Your news should come from mainstream news sources and newspapers. Professional journalists dedicate themselves to unbiased ethical reporting, and the newspapers they write for hold them accountable to ensure the news being put out is truthful. For example, The Associated Press, National Public Radio, and The Boston Globe are all reputable news sources you can turn to. The quality of information that you are consuming is far more important than the quantity. Stick to reading a few articles from trusted sources instead of reading every article that is written about topics that are concerning. Informing yourself and consuming information from reputable news sources is the first step in dealing with Trump’s presidency and its ramifications. Keep engaging in conversations about tough topics and ensure misinformation is not being spread through word of mouth. With so much information being exchanged and new orders and bills released each day, the best way to feel more in control of what is happening around you is to engage in your communities. If you feel overwhelmed about where to even begin to help out around you, there are small things you can do to start to advocate for change. Sign the numerous petitions going around. Research and participate in current boycotts. Spread helpful information about the effects of Trump’s executive orders. For example, you can print out “red cards” and put them out in public spaces for those who need them. “Red cards” are cards containing an English script of what non-English speakers should say if approached by ICE. Once you familiarize yourself with these basic outlets for community involvement, you should engage in more meaningful ways if you are able. Soup kitchens are always in need of volunteers and donations. Look into local groups organizing and promoting protests. You can also make calls to your representatives to inform them of the changes Massachusetts residents want to see. Many people say that just because we live in a blue state, our political involvement is less meaningful because residents of our state generally oppose many of Trump’s policies. However, that doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye to these issues and allow those in red states to do all the political work. Your political engagement has more power here, as our lawmakers are more likely to agree and work to promote change. We cannot become complacent in the face of these “shock and awe” tactics. If you want to find ways to be involved on campus, the Civic Engagement Center offers resources for involvement and organization. As stressful as they are, not everyone can afford to ignore current political events. Try to help out those directly affected who don’t have that luxury. If you are directly affected, avoid isolating yourself. Turn to friends and loved ones for support. Community is key. We have received multiple emails from President Nancy Niemi emphasizing that Framingham State will continue to uphold our community standards of antiracism and inclusion. Our learning community is dedicated to our safety and has numerous offices offering support in these unprecedented times. We should take advantage of this support and continue to lift each other up. Stay informed, stay involved, and stay hopeful.

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