January 6: Why Students Should Care

It should be blatantly obvious why we, as teens, should care about the January 6th insurrection. The raid on the capital, which resulted in several deaths and suicides by member of the Capitol police afterward, was led by far-right extremists and saw the official certification of the 2020 Presidential Election interrupted, will go down as one of the darkest days in our political history. Yet it seems, despite a recent similar insurrection in Brazil, interest is waning. But why is this happening, and how should we, as those entering the voting and tax paying population, move forward?

While the risk of a far-right attack on the Sonoma Plaza next election season is highly unlikely, any risk to our democracy should be taken seriously. Elections across the country, whether they be for our school board or senator, make sure we are represented and people with our best interest in heart are in positions of checked and balanced power. Also, to regurgitate from an AP Government/Honors Economics course, but we should care where our tax dollars are going and who is distributing them.

Yet, despite this common sentiment, Brazil recently went through a very similar event where there were more than 400 arrests for those who participated in the insurrection, with more police presence and involvement. This event very closely resembles the January 6 insurrection, and speaks to threats to democracy worldwide.

More than just the day itself, and we should give the day the remembrance it deserves, making sure we care about our elections is integral for the next generation. Making sure that our government is stable, and that the governmental systems are in place, from National Defense to grants for school athletic centers, is increasingly our responsibility.

Young people should be up to date and aware of the current events in our country. By keeping up with the news, as well as seeing the court dates and congressional hearings, being aware is the best thing that students can do to insure a free and safe democracy. Young people are the future of the world. Soon many of us will make up the government and take on leadership positions, making our generation the next hope and future for the U.S.