59% of adults believe that there is a political tilt on college campuses according to the Pew Research Center. This tilt comes from a combination of historical political activism in universities and modern social media feedback loops. While polarization is natural in our political system, the divide between Democrats and Republicans often goes beyond government issues, becoming a moral fight. As the new generation of voters prepares for the upcoming election, I urge them to use their campus resources to have a more bipartisan view and resist online echo chambers.
Social media platforms have become powerful tools for disseminating political information, influencing public opinion and facilitating political discourse. The political landscape has become more polarized as media outlets often cater to specific ideological viewpoints. This leads to the creation of echo chambers, as consumers will most likely choose media that aligns with their existing beliefs. Political campaigns also increasingly rely on digital platforms for outreach, using targeted advertising and personalized messaging to connect directly with voters and mobilize support. This can create a “bubble” of political ideology that lacks research on the opposing argument.
“I think we are, as a country, a lot more partisan, and I blame that personally on social media (that) puts us in these bubbles,” said Jose Perez-Cabarcas, University Democrats communications director. “Then, when people come to college campuses, it allows them to escape either their local community bubble or their internet bubble, and … lets them get a lot more diverse opinions.”
Because university students are a more political demographic, tensions can run high. Often, social issues are a prominent feature of political debate, sometimes resulting in protests. These can evoke strong emotions from either side and sometimes respect can be lost.
“We have certain protests on campus (that) I’ve seen be quite violent. I’ve had friends be yelled at by these protesters,” said government and economics freshman Ryan Bezdeck. “That’s just not the way to go about promoting equity within an issue (instead) it just creates more division.”
To combat the polarization of current American politics, students should take advantage of campus resources to learn about both sides of the political spectrum. There is an advantage to attending speaker events from both the democratic and republican sides. By opening up your perspective, you can either reinforce your previous values or re-evaluate them. Researching both sides is crucial to making a sound decision when voting. Jack Chrismon, University Democrats treasurer, suggests attending debates and roundtable discussions.
“I am a Democrat, but if (I was) on the other side, I would want to talk to (political figures) I disagree with, and (University Democrats) allow(s) that,” Perez-Cabarcas said.
Furthermore, listening to discussions between both political parties can humanize the other side. Often when people are making rash, personal attacks online they forget that there is a person behind the screen. Meeting people in real life can garner empathy and understanding, which can combat echo chambers on the internet.
“When you go, and you hear from these candidates in person and you hear their differing policies, you could make a more informed decision,” Chrismon said.
The state of America’s political landscape can be tough to navigate with the onslaught of news and media, but there are campus resources right under your nose to mitigate these issues. With the upcoming election, it is more important than ever to truly understand what each party’s candidates stand for.
Xu is a government freshman from Fort Worth, Texas.
