BMCC Students Engage in Vigorous Conversation Surrounding 2020 Presidential Election

More than 150 Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students, faculty and staff engaged in vigorous conversation about the 2020 presidential election during the Speak Up, Speak Out Series: Post-Election Student Conversation, Your Voice Matters forum on November 6.

Throughout the event, students signed up to speak for two-minute slots of time to share thoughts while the chat window served as an active space for the respectful exchange of viewpoints.

Faculty, including Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Professors Shenique Davis, Heather James and Alex D’Erizans as well as Health Education Professor and Chair Lesley Rennis offered contemporary as well as historical context on some of the 2020 election cycle’s most relevant issues.

In welcoming remarks, BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe commended the students who attended the event for their civic engagement and willingness to speak out and exercise their right to vote.

“Regardless of your political affiliation, voting is a right that many have fought and even died for, and it should never be taken for granted, because in this democracy, it is the people who hold the power,” said President Munroe.

Students as history tellers

Organized by the Division of Student Affairs, the forum took place just one day before major national news organizations, including the Associated Press, called the presidential race for the Democratic candidates, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris.

Acknowledging the worry and frustration this particular election brought, BMCC Counseling Center Director Neda Hajizadeh and Counselor Néstor Borrero-Bracero reminded students that counselors are available and there to listen.

“Should emotions begin to feel as if they are interfering with academic responsibilities or day to day life, it’s time to reach out,” Hajizadeh said. “Strength is knowing when to reach out if you need added support.”

The forum, which took place on the virtual platform Zoom, was recorded and will be archived at the BMCC A. Philip Randolph Library.

BMCC Vice President of Student Affairs Marva Craig told the students that during her many years at BMCC there had been a number of historic events and unfortunately, the college does not have the student’s voices on record speaking about them.

“What our students have to say today, will be kept in the library and will be available to BMCC students 50, 100 and 150 years from now,” said Craig. “You will be the history tellers from BMCC.”

Change comes from action

Student speakers shared their concerns, hopes and dreams on issues ranging from social justice to the extensive divide between Republicans and Democrats.

A BMCC Early Childhood Education major said she believes the United States is home to a political system that repeats itself over and over again and that her generation could be the one to alter that.

“As a person of my generation, my idea is to focus on what we can do for the future,” ‘she said, also pointing out that her parents are immigrants. “We need to step up and do something about our future.”

Another student lamented the electoral college and expressed hope for unity and that someday presidents will be determined by the popular vote.

“Regardless of your political point of view, we can all agree that we want a country that is united,” said the student.

Another student shared concerns about the past four years.

“It’s not normal to have one campaign’s supporters trying to drive the other campaign’s bus off the road,” she said. “People have been feeling really unsafe, and that’s not normal.”

In the chat window, one student shared that she “always tries to understand the other side but all I hear are people that think money and tax plans are more important than basic human rights. It can be hard to understand a person who can see past a president’s horrible acts and consider that person worthy of leading the American people.”

A student pointed out that the proliferation of information on social media is often not based in fact and that ends up creating tremendous challenges.  She also encouraged her peers to stay engaged.

“Change comes from action,” she said pointing out that many of America’s more systemic problems extend from measures and policies implemented hundreds of years earlier.”

One student expressed his dismay that any political campaign in the United States would engage in legal efforts that could ultimately disenfranchise voters. Many other countries are watching what is happening in the United States today, said the student, who added, those countries take many of their cues from what happens here.

“Whether you like it or not, the United States is seen around the world as by far the greatest democracy,” he said. “People here get to exercise their right to vote, in a transparent way.”

Finally, another student celebrated the fact that a record number of voters participated in the 2020 presidential election.  He encouraged everyone in the forum to check facts and question what they see on social media.

“Listening to people with different opinions is important.  We have to have some sort of understanding in our country, and maybe, just maybe there won’t be so much divisiveness,” he said.