Across the nation, hostility, anger, and protests fill the headlines. While many people believe their role in government is unapproachable, the true nature of our democracy is meant to give ordinary citizens a meaningful and productive voice in society. However, in today’s exceedingly polarized environment, that voice continues to feel increasingly fragmented. There are a variety of opinions coming from students at DGN.

“People talk too negatively on both parties,” sophomore Kellan Smith said. “People are quick to judge others based off of their party.” 

Americans are also seeming to take action among their hate, and according to junior Robby DeStefano, people aren’t afraid to take actions fueled by hate online.

“People are receiving hate crimes online based on their sexuality, gender, or race,” DeStefano said.

According to additional DGN students, there are certain specific issues that people focus on regarding these judgmental tendencies, such as the current immigration issues.

“People are talking to other people in a hostile way about their legality,” sophomore Jaya Khuntia said. “People repost things that make me feel like they look down on people that have my skin color.” 

Immigration is not the only topic that sparks strong emotions and sometimes heated debates among DGN students; abortion also seems to cause these recurring issues.

“People have opinions of conflict on topics like abortion,” sophomore June Hall said. 

These issues are often sensitive, and may affect individuals on a personal level, particularly when they relate through lived experiences or closely held values. I asked DGN students what experiences they’ve had with seeing people come together, regardless of their political views, to show people that they are not alone.

“In APUSH when everyone started talking about how the No Kings protest went peacefully,” Hall said. 

The protests that took place on October 18th, seemed to have a huge turnout within all people of the United States. In the city of Chicago, an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 people showed up. These huge turnouts can be a symbol of unity, and hope for many people around the country. Along with the emotions of unity and hope, another huge emotion that could be provoked within, is peace. 

“There were both sides at one protest and they were not speaking hostile to each other, they were more peaceful, like back in the day,” Smith said. 

However, when I spoke to others, I got differing answers on whether the country has really begun to come together these past few weeks. Specifically in classroom settings. 

“Nobody has talked about anything in classrooms this year… because of all the repercussions that have happened to people that have said stuff about it. So people are afraid to talk about it due to what might happen.” Vergauwen said

When I asked students if talking about politics can cause a divide among their personal relationships, some answered with yes, and others answered with a simple, I prefer to avoid that topic. 

“When I am around people my age I tend to not talk about it.” Vergauwen said

Lots of people may agree with this statement, considering that talking about politics at the dinner table hasn’t always ended well.

However, other students have different perspectives on debating hot topics within the political world, and how much they can really affect the lens you see a person through.

“Different opinions have different moral value.” DeStefano said.

Yet even amid the noise of division, moments of understanding still emerge. In DGN classrooms, hallways, and at protests, some students are finding quiet ways to listen rather than shout, and to ask, rather than accuse. Although these exchanges may be subtle, they suggest that polarization is not the only story unfolding. 

Across DGN, and nationally, young people are grappling with what it means to coexist in a fractured political climate. They are growing up in a world where opinions are broadcast abruptly, and judgement can follow just as quickly. Still, within this uncertainty, lies a chance for revival. We can define civic engagement not through hostility, but through curiosity and care.

For many people, that may be the true test of democracy, not whether we can all agree with our separate stances, but whether we can see one another beyond the political labels we carry.