HC: Introduce yourself!
DC: My name is Darby! I am a junior at WVU majoring in journalism and political science. I am from Cleveland, Ohio. I have been writing for Her Campus at WVU for two years now and loving every minute of it!
HC: How did you decide on studying JRL/POLS?
DC: I have always had a passion for politics, it fascinates me, yet I would never want to be a politician, so I decided to write about it instead!
HC: Have your views and beliefs changed while studying these issues?
DC: I think I will always have the same beliefs that I have always had, I just have a better understanding of the political spectrum. This allows me to be neutral in my writing and voice my beliefs appropriately without offending anyone. Once you have a knowledge of politics, bipartisanship peace seems more ideal.
HC: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far in your college career?
DC: The most important thing I have learned in my college career is learning to be objective. If you can’t be objective in political writing, it probably is not the best fit for you. Is very hard to be objective in today’s political climate but it is necessary in order to be credible. Once you learn that most people will never change their views on politics, you focus more on getting the facts out there, rather than trying to persuade them and waste your time.
HC: Do you consider yourself optimistic or pessimistic for the midterms/2020 election/future generations?
DC: I am super optimistic about midterm elections. The world is changing whether people like it or not. More than 400 LGBTQ+ members are running for office this year. I know a lot of negativity has been circling the world of politics lately, but if we are not optimistic about our future situation, nothing positive will ever mobilize.
HC: Who are some of your role models– whether in journalism/politics/elsewhere?
DC: I definitely have politicians and journalists that I admire. In a more general sense, I look up to journalists and politicians that are honest and respectful of people no matter their race, sexuality, religion etc… With so much hate and bigotry in this world, being deferential is very admirable.
HC: What advice do you have for students that may be feeling deterred from studying JRL/POLS because of current events?
DC: I know a lot of people have a bad taste in their mouth about politics lately and I don’t blame them. Studying politics has so many moving parts and is so unpredictable. If you want to study politics, my only advice is to be okay with the unknown, and know you can not control how people think or react.
HC: Anything else you’d like to add?
DC: Go vote and be kind!