As we continue to learn more about the death of political activist Charlie Kirk and other political violence across the country, we’re taking a look at how young people are responding. “It’s extremely discomforting,” one University of Southern Maine student said.”I think it’s awful,” another added.”This is what the world has come to, I mean, I think we need more humility and we kind of need to look at each other, and even if we don’t agree, still respect each other’s opinions as humans,” a third student said.Students at the University of Southern Maine are responding to the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk on another campus, more than 2500 miles away in Utah.”Obviously, being on a college campus, it seems like everything happens on a college campus before everything else, but having that concern and being cautious and following up on that and being informed and having your own opinion so you can talk about it,” a USM student told Maine’s Total Coverage.USM Political Science Chair Ron Schmidt said students’ attitudes toward politics have changed over the years.”During the first Trump administration, I had some students come to my office to talk about how they felt like there were things they couldn’t say or that they felt restrained from getting into discussions,” Schmidt said.He added that he hasn’t heard that from students in the last few years, but that students now are less likely to identify with a particular political party.Students were asked if they feel comfortable talking about their political views. “I don’t really like to talk about politics or my political views, but I’m sure people get heated over it, and people are probably scared to talk about it,” a student told Maine’s Total Coverage.”You never know what people might react to what you say, and I think that’s sad,” another student added.”It definitely makes me more eager to participate because someone needs to correct this,” a third student said.
As we continue to learn more about the death of political activist Charlie Kirk and other political violence across the country, we’re taking a look at how young people are responding.
“It’s extremely discomforting,” one University of Southern Maine student said.
“I think it’s awful,” another added.
“This is what the world has come to, I mean, I think we need more humility and we kind of need to look at each other, and even if we don’t agree, still respect each other’s opinions as humans,” a third student said.
Students at the University of Southern Maine are responding to the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk on another campus, more than 2500 miles away in Utah.
“Obviously, being on a college campus, it seems like everything happens on a college campus before everything else, but having that concern and being cautious and following up on that and being informed and having your own opinion so you can talk about it,” a USM student told Maine’s Total Coverage.
USM Political Science Chair Ron Schmidt said students’ attitudes toward politics have changed over the years.
“During the first Trump administration, I had some students come to my office to talk about how they felt like there were things they couldn’t say or that they felt restrained from getting into discussions,” Schmidt said.
He added that he hasn’t heard that from students in the last few years, but that students now are less likely to identify with a particular political party.
Students were asked if they feel comfortable talking about their political views.
“I don’t really like to talk about politics or my political views, but I’m sure people get heated over it, and people are probably scared to talk about it,” a student told Maine’s Total Coverage.
“You never know what people might react to what you say, and I think that’s sad,” another student added.
“It definitely makes me more eager to participate because someone needs to correct this,” a third student said.