Do you often find yourself frustrated about on-campus issues? As college students, we worry, we’re busy, but most of all, we want change. Although it can already feel like your plate is full within the “DePauw bubble,” there is both a national and global atmosphere that we cannot ignore.
On any given day, there are events happening in countries around the world that do not even make it into the mainstream media. However, we want to discuss what is currently going on, not only in the United States, but worldwide.
This week, residents of Hong Kong took to the streets to protest in favor of full democracy. This led to violent interactions between protestors and police, fires and injuries and destruction of buildings.
Communities in Texas are mourning the victims of the mass shooting that happened last Saturday.
Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas are bracing for Hurricane Dorian after it wreaked havoc on the Bahamas over the weekend.
So yes, campus issues do matter, but we believe that students should extend their advocacy and passion for on-campus issues to the world outside of the DePauw bubble. This could mean advocating for stricter gun laws, donating to areas affected by Hurricane Dorian or simply educating yourself further on global political and social issues.
It may seem daunting to get involved in the world outside of DePauw, but if you start small, you will end up making a difference. Here are some tips to become better educated about global issues and how to combat these seemingly impossible and complex issues. We know it can be overwhelming, but start small:
- Consume one piece of non-DePauw related news a day. Here are some of our favorite sources for quick news:
CBS New Eye-Opener - 90 seconds of the day’s top stories
Philip DeFranco - A YouTube channel with daily 10-30 minute video covering the biggest issues happening in the world. The host, Philip DeFranco, who has been covering news on the internet for over 10 years, prioritizes transparency presenting the facts, multiple points of view and his own opinion with each story.
New York Times newsletter - You can start your day with the New York Times in your inbox giving you an insight on the day’s biggest headlines.
The Skimm - The Skimm has it all: website, app, newsletter and podcast. They cover both U.S. and international news, but they keep it brief. Also, most news sources send out a newsletter, which can give you the most important stories and a short explanation of each story, so you can become more informed in minutes!
- Think critically about it
Really reflect on what the news is covering and how they are covering it. Oftentimes, it is easy to see a number of people who were affected by a certain issue or event, but try to humanize the numbers and statistics that are found so often in news coverage. Be mindful of where you are getting your news. Don’t just rely on Twitter or biased news sources.
- Do something.
Make a donation or get involved with other activist groups. Finding these groups or others who have the same sentiments about a certain issue is simply a Google search away. No one can do everything, but everyone should do something.
Hopefully you are feeling inspired by our tips for getting involved outside of the DePauw bubble. So get out there and pop that bubble!