With the recent U.S. election results, we’ve seen a shift in thinking from progressivism to nostalgia for a different time in America when it was“great” as loosely defined by Trump. The results were met with protests all over the country, with many young people taking part. In my recent visit to Prague, I remember hearing about a students’ day. You may be wondering this has to do with what happened in the US. It was a bit more than just the students day, it was a student’s revolution.
In Prague during the time of communism known as the “Prague Spring”, a student named Jan Palloch decided to make a statement by lighting himself on fire and running through the town from the Red Square in the city center. Jan knew that he would die, so at the steps of the Red Square he left a note saying his intentions and died three days later in the hospital. His girlfriend was forced on national television by the government to dismiss Jan’s actions and say that Jan was crazy and had no intentions. Why would Jan do this? The doctor said Jan’s last words about his actions were that they were “not so much in opposition to the Soviet occupation, but the demoralization which was setting in; that people were not only giving up, but giving in. And he wanted to stop that demoralization.”
Several years later more students were inspired by Jan’s actions as a catalyst for change and the pathway to freedom that surrounding countries were pursuing from communism. They met in secret with many other townspeople to create a plan to join together to rebel against the communist regime. For the first few days of what was known as the “Velvet Revolution”, students were met with opposition but soon increased in numbers drastically as much of Prague joined the rebellion. This response brought the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia while causing the people of Prague to realize the value students had in shaping the future.
You may see some similarities between 1989 Prague and the recent US election but feel change would be impossible to accomplish from students in modern day America. However, that’s the type of thinking, which contributed to Trump winning his spot in the White House, which is exactly what Trump and his supporters wanted. As Alice Walker once said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” Feeling powerless because of the election results due to an outdated electoral college system will only make Trump more powerful. We are the generation never taken seriously even though we’re deemed as the smartest by the Economist to date.
The best course of action would be to allow our discomfort to simmer more. Yes, simmer more. The last thing we need right now is for young people to again feel they are powerless against someone who will be the worse president in American history. We have very little formal power until 2018 with the midterm elections in the formal political process. That doesn’t mean we don’t have power in the informal political process. This is the time to build and support political activism. By using all the talents you have to make a difference so you decide what this new America will be. It can be from art to technology. I firmly believe art and literature can greatly contribute to changing the way people think and influencing their decisions. Uncle Tom’s Cabin for example had a huge impact on the ending slavery by humanizing his slave characters, allowing the reader to gain a different perspective.
We can also create innovations in technology such apps or software to counter whatever violence is sent from Trump and his followers’ actions. We have heard all the reported incidents of hate crimes against Muslims, African-Americans, Latinos, LGBTQ people, etc. that Trump’s supporters dislike. For example all the groups trumps marginalized, could have an app to use when they’re feeling unsafe to call others in the nearby area or link it to a police. There could be hundred of different ideas that could be possible with enough time to put our heads together. We already use Facebook to organize protests, why not expand the boundaries?
A vision of a transformed America is now up to us, not Sanders alone. We have to continue where he left off or suffer, not only for us but the entire world, due to our global influence. For all those who will be living in fear, we must stand up and show Trump and his supporters that their version of “greatness” for America will not be tolerated. If anything can be learned from what happened in Prague, it’s that young people must be taken seriously. We can start revolutions but can also bring destruction with our inaction.
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