Written by Anna Squires
Twelve students accompanied professors Elizabeth Coggins and Susan Ashley to Washington D.C. last weekend to witness Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration and the Women’s March on Washington. What they saw elicited concerns for the state of the country—but also hope for the future.
The Inauguration trip was the first of its kind offered at CC and took the form of a noncredit Dynamic Half Block. Over 100 students applied to fill 12 spots to witness history, free of charge. Students ranged across departmental majors: political science, international political economy, neuroscience, and more. What each student had in common was a desire to witness history first-hand.
“I wanted to come on this trip in part to figure out what my role is in our democracy,” said Anika Grevstad, a junior Asian Studies major. Other students cited goals of becoming more active citizens or analyzing President Trump’s rhetoric and its effect on Inauguration spectators. Some wanted to decide how they felt about the historic movement without influence from the liberal CC campus or conservative family members.
For Professor Coggins, Assistant Professor of Political Science, the goal was simple. “I want to see students reflecting on and deeply engaging with history,” she said.
Because the trip partnered with Worldstride’s Smithsonian University Travel Program, students were allowed special access to the Smithsonian Institution archives and expert panels on politics, the media, and activism.
Undoubtedly, however, for many the main draw of the trip was the opportunity to participate in the Women’s March on Washington, which took place the day after the Inauguration on Saturday, Jan. 21.
The March aimed to unite diverse and intersectional communities to peacefully demonstrate in support of women’s rights. The main march was slated for downtown D.C. Christopher Geldart, the District of Columbia’s homeland security officer, told the Associated Press that the D.C. crowds far exceeded the 500,000 people who were expected. Crowd scientists have estimated that over 2.6 million people took part in 673 marches across all 50 states and 32 countries.
“It was a beautiful and powerful thing,” said Sam Saccomanno, a senior Political Science major. “My biggest takeaway from the march was that people have a lot of power to collaborate and work together. To know that we have the power to create change is huge.”
Yet students also expressed frustration with President Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the size of the marches across the country—particularly given that many participants loudly criticized Trump’s proposals for immigration reform, healthcare rollbacks, and lack of protection for the natural environment.
President Trump and his press secretary falsely claimed that Trump drew “the largest inaugural crowd ever,” while refusing to acknowledge the presence of the Women’s March in D.C. that next day.
His response disturbed several students, who had hoped that the marches would force the Trump administration to take note of the march’s diverse platform.
“I think President Trump’s reaction to [The March] proves that progress needs to happen at the local level, and not be directed at the Oval Office,” said Helena Thatcher, junior Political Science major. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results… At this point, it’s going to be more effective to try to impact your own local politics: to advocate for change through your state legislators, district representatives, and school boards. That’s where I’ll be directing my energy.”
Senior Political Science major Michael Greenberger agreed.
“Even a gathering as large as the Women’s March was still rather ineffective in garnering an immediate response from our government,” he said. He noted that he felt disenchanted with the ability of even large-scale organizing to influence the federal government.
“But I’m still a believer in how people can organize on a local level,” he said. “Change is still feasible there.”
Several students have felt motivated to channel their frustrations with the new administration into action. While members of the Millennial generation—those aged between 18 and 35 years old—are often stereotyped as lazy, self-involved, and politically apathetic, students on the Inauguration trip refuted those claims.
“I feel motivated to push back against policies that will be damaging to women and minorities,” said David Trevithick, a senior International Political Economy major. “CC has taught me that with the right tools, you don’t have to go home and feel resigned to the future. You can do something about it.”
Thatcher, too, felt as if this election was a personal turning point.
“I think that the time in my life where I don’t think about the government and the political structure in D.C. has ended,” she said. “One of my career goals is to work in the Capitol. I intend to have a more active role in politics than I’ve ever had before.”
Greenberger also feels that Millennials can take charge of politics, no matter their age.
“I think the most effective thing a Millennial can do is start thinking about when they’re going to run for office,” he said. “So much of the U.S. government is based on seniority and hierarchy. Starting young and rallying around candidates for office that aren’t white men—those things can initiate change.”
Grevstad hopes that other Millennials will be inspired to take charge of the future of American politics, too.
“I think that it’s really important for young people to participate,” she said, “especially because what we do now will shape what we grow up into.”
Grevstad wasn’t involved in politics before the Inauguration trip. She now believes that even if they aren’t seeking political office, Millennials can create positive change from their roles as citizens.
“I participated in a way that I was proud of during this trip, and I hope to continue that going forward,” she said. “My idea of political progress might be very different than somebody else’s across the aisle. But there are some things that I find nonnegotiable: human rights, women’s rights. My goal now is to push politicians on my side towards those ideals—towards what I believe in.”
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