Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
My dream since beginning college has been to pursue a career in federal public service. The summer after my freshman year, I interned with the Executive Office of the President of the United States, getting to know the most interesting, driven, diverse group of students through the experience.
We all came from different schools, studied different things, lived in different states, were at different points in our education and careers, and yet all shared a similar belief in public service and supporting political, social and economic progress. Last summer, I interned with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, getting to witness experts using their subject-matter knowledge to protect the health and wellbeing of the American public through diligent rulemaking and enforcement.
After the election results, I am unsure if a career with either of these entities or similar ones would be possible. I am unsure if they will be recognizable in two years. With Republicans in power across many state governments and likely both chambers of Congress, in addition to conservatives controlling the Supreme Court, I anticipate more legislation and legal decisions that roll back the personal and institutional protections and liberties I assumed were untouchable growing up.
I no longer feel clear on whether I would be comfortable choosing to get pregnant. If I am in a state like Texas, which many more states may follow the suit of, I can be denied life saving care in the case of a pregnancy complication.
We may very well be living in a country in which the highest government entities deny the existence of climate change, refuse to protect the safety of workers and ignore public health recommendations.
I need not wonder what the Trump administration may do. They have shown us already. During his first term, Trump was impeached twice, eliminated over 100 environmental regulations, executed the largest corporate tax cuts in U.S. history, withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and blocked entry into the country for people traveling from seven countries with predominantly Muslim populations. He has since referred to these territories, including Gaza, as “infested” when justifying barring entry of refugees or travelers into the U.S.
In the face of these devastating truths however, I have not lost hope in my fellow Americans. We can support and protect each other on a personal and even institutional level by preparing for the next rounds of elections and becoming involved with community organizations that operate past politics.
Community organization
Volunteering with local nonprofits or initiatives is an excellent way to contribute to your community and improve the conditions of people’s lives, no matter who holds public office. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, Monroe Community Kitchen and Planned Parenthood are just a few local organizations you can donate your time to. If you are short on time, many of these organizations also accept monetary or material donations as well.
Additionally, we can practice being good friends, peers and neighbors. Lend a helping hand to those around you, show up for your loved ones and make time to connect with the people who are important to you. In a society only seeming to become more individualistic, caring for each other is one of the easiest, most impactful forms of protest.
Civic engagement
Though our most recent election has passed, it is never too early to help register more voters and plan to work the polls at the next election date. Certain party organizations and programs like Political and Civic Engagement at IU organize voter registration events and initiatives. Indiana will be having the next general election on Nov. 4, 2025.
Engage with local media sources, like the IDS, The Herald-Times, WTIU and WFIU to stay up to date with current affairs and support reporting at the local level, which is essential for keeping communities informed.
Bloomington residents, including students, may also apply for one of the city boards or commissions which are active players in local policymaking, implementation and enforcement.
Never be afraid to write to or call your local public elected officials if you are dissatisfied with their policy priorities or actions, or if you want to bring a particular issue to their attention. These politicians should care about your opinions, as their reelection depends on your vote, and they often have systems to log and track the issues that constituents are bringing up.
By being active participants in our community and civic processes, we can exert some control over our experiences, freedoms and opportunities rather than sitting idly by as politicians implement and roll back policy in harmful ways.
Leila Faraday (she/her) is a junior studying policy analysis with minors in geography and urban planning.
