I have stated in past columns that I believe the November 2024 election will test our commitment to free speech, freedom of inquiry, and civil dialogue. Political commentators, candidates running for office, and celebrities have claimed that the fate of our nation and our representative form of government will hinge on the choices we make on this Election Day. Whether you believe this claim or not, the importance of educating voters, and encouraging them to exercise their rights, cannot be overstated in this time of shifting political landscapes.
Like many people, the misinformation and untruths that have permeated our political rhetoric has at times caused me to question whether my vote will even make a difference. When I have those thoughts, I remind myself that historically the right to vote has not always been afforded to every citizen in our country. Martin Luther King Jr. said, in his “Give Us the Ballot” speech in May 1957, that “the denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition.”
I am proud to say that critical thinking and active participation in our democracy are fundamental to our mission. We want our students to understand that voting is one of the most powerful ways that we can have a say in the future of our community, our country, and our own lives. If we don’t vote, we let others make those decisions for us. To support this effort, CR is hosting the Dolores Huerta Speaker Series: The Power of Civic Engagement and Why Your Vote Matters.
If you’re not familiar with Dolores Huerta, she is a legendary labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers and spent her life advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and empowering individuals to use their voices in the democratic process. Her famous slogan, “Sí, se puede” (Yes, we can) reminds us that, if we work hard enough, bring our voices together, and make enough noise, we can change the world.
Our Dolores Huerta speaker series will feature discussions on government involvement, the election process, and voter education. Speakers include Juan Pablo Cervantes, Humboldt County’s Clerk-Recorder, who will share his own journey into politics, and Dr. Ryan Emenaker, CR political science professor, who will speak about “Project 2025,” the Heritage Foundation paper that outlines its policy strategies to reshape the executive branch and promote a conservative agenda. It will also highlight marginalized voices, with Mark Taylor and Matthew McKindley sharing their experiences working with incarcerated individuals and Native American students, respectively. CR’s director of student equity, Dr. Kintay Johnson, will cover vital topics like misinformation on social media and unbiased explanations of ballot propositions.
The speaker series will build on the recent “Let’s Talk About Palestine and Israel: A Community Conversation,” which brought together CR and Cal Poly Humboldt teachers and students, local faith leaders, and Humboldt County community members to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as viewed through multiple lenses. Getting together as a community reminds us that, even in times of unrest and division, we should still attempt to keep our hearts and minds open to one another.
Judging from the daily news stories around the election, as we approach November, there is a palpable feeling of anticipation and uncertainty about what lies ahead for our democracy. This election feels especially significant, testing not just our political systems, but our willingness to listen to and respect each other. I am hopeful, however, because I believe that, at its core, our democracy isn’t just about voting or debating, it’s not even about policies and agendas, it’s about learning to live with one another, even when we disagree. It is, as the Constitution reminds us, about our shared quest to create a “more perfect union.”
Dr. Keith Flamer is the president of the College of the Redwoods.
