Jeffrey Lantis
The popular phrase “May you live in interesting times” is sometimes interpreted as a blessing and other times as a curse. We certainly are living through interesting times in national and global politics, and many of us are wondering just where this political turbulence will take us.
It is certainly tempting to interpret the “interesting times” of our lives as a curse. After all, we live in a world that seems so deeply divided and fragmented, and one could easily become disillusioned or frustrated with what is going on. From “Brexit” and conflicts in the Middle East to the new coronavirus outbreak and climate change — it all feels like too much sometimes.
But there are also blessings to be found in these “interesting times,” especially if one values the power of personal experience. In fact, the stream of news and events around us are actually helping to shape the educational journey of our lives, socializing us to think more about right and wrong in more concrete terms. If you’re interested in politics, you might appreciate the fact that we have received a free public education about checks and balances (and their limits) in only the third presidential impeachment process in U.S. history. If you care about the environment, you know that Greta Thunberg’s activism is helping mobilize a new generation to climate consciousness. If you care about immigration policy, you are living through some of the most impactful times in recent memory that are calling us to action.
One of the reasons that I try to find optimism in the complexity in the world around us is that I see politics as embodying the spirit of engaged citizenship — and political socialization as a journey of edu- cation, critical thinking and activism. As a teacher, I tend to view powerful events as “teaching moments” that allow us to revisit what we know, and to become wiser consumers and political actors. For me, these interesting times offer all the more motivation to engage in public service and to encourage everyone to participate in the political process.
Someday, we will all have stories to tell about the 2000s, the 2010s and the 2020s. And you are in the unique position to choose your own narratives. But one of the stories I hope that we will not tell is how these events led us to personal disillusionment or even despair about the political process.
In today’s challenges, we can find our own values, our own voices. We do live in interesting times. And in these times, it is essential that we remain committed to the causes that we hold dear. My main message to you is to not give up on politics or political activism, even in the face of challenge. It has never been more important than now, for example, to take up the cause of social justice and equality for all. It has never been more important than now to rally to the cause of women’s rights and immigrant rights. It has never been more important than now to fight for the environment.
May we continue to live in interesting times — because we will be stronger for this journey!