Students Express Election Apprehension

By Veronica Vila I Published October 10

With just weeks left until the election, the presidential campaigns keep stirring society’s beliefs and values. Wars, the economy, abortion, immigration,  assassination attempts, and the targeting of minorities appear to be overwhelming students interviewed at Kean University.

It seems like breaking news about a constant state of chaos is – instead of drawing students’ attention – causing them to tune out. 

 “I hear when my dad is watching the news, but after a while, I just have to leave,” said Amy Cedeno, a senior English Writing major.  “ It’s too overwhelming.”

Cedeno criticized the candidates for what she thinks is a lack of clear economic plans and the and disdains the media for its television coverage shortage on the Israel – Palestine; and the – Ukraine wars. “It’s scary,” she said.

Despite her opinions on the candidate’s policies, Cedeno is not pressed to vote or get involved in the political world. She will only vote if her schedule allows it, and if it comes to it, she would vote for the Democratic party as it’s a family tradition in her household.

With the heavy presence of politics in social media, marketing,  popular opinion, and resentment guide the presidential candidates’ policies.

Ja’Kiya Clark, a sophomore sociology major, said though presidential candidate Kamala Harris is well-versed, “she’s not ready for the presidency.”

“As a Black woman, I’d love to see Kamala as president one day,” she said. “But I’m not sure if she’ll be good.”

On the other hand, she said:  “Trump being in the office raises a lot of racial, gender, and social unnecessary conflict. ,”

For Clark, the 2024 presidential election has become really polarizing and started to divide relationships and segregate populations.

“I hated watching the (presidential) debate,” Clark continues, “I felt like it was a waste of my time.”

In the political debate, students see the candidates going back and forth over just  two topics:

abortion and immigration.

“To me, it feels as if some immigrants just come here to live for free and do the same

things they used to do in their country,” Carlos Mosquera, sophomore ESL student

majoring in Management-General Business, confessed. “Still you see all these mass shootings being done by American White males,”

Yet Mosquera said that in his own experience, “Generalizations about immigrants keep on hurting the Hispanic community.”

Mosquera added that he is not in favor or against any candidate,”. “My only expectations for the next year is for the economy to pick up and inflation to go down,” he said, adding he cannot vote.

As for Clark, she is prepared to vote, but she is not excited about picking a candidate. Clark believes that the candidates have more cons than pros.

 “At the end, one of them is going to win and we’re going to move on with life,” she said.

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