By Troi Beckett with SGJC Student News Network
The 2024 election campaigns have been addressing issues that pose a significant impact on American society. These issues include abortion rights, public schooling, immigration, drug use, economy, and international policy, among others. This election will tell the tale of America and its progression. A Towson University educator, asking for anonymity, said that the future of public schools and teaching in public schools had become concerning due to the threat of ‘Project 2025’. She said that schools in the Towson area lacked resources to properly teach a public school curriculum and history. She also mentioned her fear surrounding lack of healthcare and the rights of women. “It seems that they can just take our rights any day now.”
“I grew up with four sisters. Curbing abortion rights is a big issue for me. I know Kamala Harris is pushing for restoring Roe Vs Wade, so I’m educating myself about policies that focus on abortion and women’s rights,” said Joseph Kamden, a junior at Towson University.
Ashley, another student at Towson University, expressed her disinterest in the election stating that she did not feel her vote would matter. “I would not think I keep track of it enough for me to have my input in voting. I only hear about it through TikTok videos or other social media platforms, and mostly they are all memes about how both the presidential candidates do not respect each other. But I do care about topics relating to women rights and reproductive rights. However, I’m not sure if my vote really matters,” she said.
Interviews with other students in the Towson area revealed that young voters are hesitant about voting because they are afraid their votes will not matter, and their rights may be stripped away eventually. Although the students refused to be recorded, they were unanimous about not voting and they don’t want the stress of the election on their plates. For 24-year-old Carl, who is a student who holds down a job, his main concern for this election was inflation. “I think inflation is an important topic to be addressed this election.”
Nahla Morgan, a graduate student at Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Towson resident, said, “I just feel like Trump is trying to take away our rights. Everyone’s vote matters whether they believe it or not. She said after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, “many women in my area and areas nearby will not have proper access to the health care they deserve.”