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Our Generation, Our Choice

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Cierra Snyder
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Indigo Baloch
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Chatham chapter.
On November 9, 2015, about 1,300 college students gathered in Washington DC for a rally focusing on three major topics: climate change, racial justice, and immigration reform.  These are topics that are affecting everyone all around the world, and young people have decided to start the movement to have these issues addressed in the upcoming elections.  
 
This act of civil disobedience took place a block away in view of the White House and stopped morning rush hour traffic on H Street.  The movement was strategically planned to be exactly one year before the 2016 presidential election. 
 
The idea was to let politicians and the people of America know what we want to see addressed by every current and upcoming elected official. If the campaigners are not addressing these issues, they might as well be out of the running. Young people will make up about 30% of the 2016 voting demographic, which is more than ever before. These are the things we care about and want to see change in, NOW.  
 
 
Climate change has been in the works for some time now, and its effects are inevitable and detrimental. Racial issues have long been a problem in the US, and people are tired of living afraid, mistreated, and stereotyped. Immigrants are done with having their families torn apart, and having to cower in the shadows in day-to-day life. Our generation wants justice, and it is our choice for our future to make it happen.
 
As a member who participated in this event, I can honestly say it was the experience of a lifetime. To be able to gather with a large group of people who are like-minded individuals with a common passion and to fight for what you believe in is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. It’s nice to know that you are making a difference and shaping the way things can be viewed. It is also very motivating knowing that you are paving the way for future activists and policies on the subject matter. This is a spiritual experience that involves connecting with yourself and your values, and with others.  
 
 
I am by no means trying to influence anyone’s political positions, but I challenge you to think about your views on these issues and vote accordingly. I also hope you will consider finding your passion and then fighting for it! It doesn’t have to be in DC and it doesn’t have to be civil disobedience, but it should be something that you could back 100%.
 
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Cierra is a first year student at Chatham University, majoring in sustainability. She likes salads, trying new things, interacting with animals, and alone time. Being weird is a specialty, and nature is a second home.
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Indigo Baloch is the HC Chatham Campus Correspondent. She is a junior at Chatham University double majoring in Creative Writing and Journalism and double minoring Graphic Design and an Asian Studies Certificate. Indigo is a writer and Editorial Assistant at Maniac Magazine and occasionally does book reviews for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She is also the Public Relations Director for The Mr. Roboto Project (a music venue in Pittsburgh) and creates their monthly newsletter. During her freshman and sophomore year, Indigo was the Editor-in-Chief of Chatham's student driven newsprint: Communique. Currently, on campus, Indigo is the Communications Coordinator for Minor Bird (Chatham's literary magazine), the Public Relations Director for Chatham's chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, and a Staff Writer and Columnist for Communique. She has worked as a Fashion Editorial Intern for WHIRL Magazine, and has been a featured reader at Chatham's Undergraduate Reading Series and a featured writer in Minor Bird. She loves art, music, film, theater, writing, and traveling.