We’re at a point in time where, regardless of your gender, race, or the color of your skin, you can be a target.
ICE officers are crowding our streets. People of all ages, backgrounds, races, and cultures are living in fear. We’re a country built on a constitution upheld for over 200 years, with those same rights now being ignored.
What’s currently happening in Minneapolis is all over the news. I’m sure by now most of us, if not all, have seen some sort of viral video on TikTok or Instagram. Whether it’s a show of the protests themselves or the videos of Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s brutal murders.
Countless news sources, from The Times to local news outlets, have reported on the unraveling situation as protests crowd our streets, built from thousands of people standing up against this administration and fighting for their rights.
We’ve seen the view from Minneapolis. We’ve seen what governors, senators, the grieving families, and ancient presidents have to say. But what about the common college student? Ones outside of the current line of fire—away from Minneapolis.
I interviewed four Millikin students to get their opinion on the unfolding events in Minneapolis and the emotions or thoughts that it promotes.
“It’s very upsetting to see history almost repeat itself,” sophomore Isabel Haney said. “It’s very unsettling going on social media, where it’s supposed to be a place to watch funny videos and interact with friends, and just seeing people being murdered because of ICE.”
Now, social media is no longer a break from reality.
It’s since become the very thing that causes reality to set in, especially with the thousands of videos of people injured or even killed. Why wouldn’t it be unsettling?
Death—especially murder—shouldn’t sit right with a person. It’s an uncomfortable situation and an uncomfortable topic. It should make you uneasy.
In watching the videos of the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, you shouldn’t feel satisfaction. You’re watching a life taken just before your eyes. You’re watching a murder.
“It makes me very sad, and it makes me frustrated that so many people are backing ICE and supporting them,” junior Percy Perry said. “It’s just morally wrong, I think, to support them.”
How could you watch the videos and defend them? The same “agents” who have tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed children as young as six months old. “Agents” who have dragged pregnant women from their cars. “Agents” who have murdered people.
Our country isn’t just politically divided anymore.
It’s morally divided.
Many of us are tired of it. We’re speaking up, using our First Amendment right to protest, or showing our support in other ways.
“I think a lot of people would obviously lead with fear,” freshman Lauren Klaus said. “I think it could also be said that we should highlight what the people of Minneapolis are doing with the amount of protests that are going on and how community members are gathering to help one another to do the most that they can.”
After seeing videos of the nationwide protests on social media, and specifically videos of what’s happening in Minneapolis, it’s clear that there’s an underlying danger. With ICE covering our streets and drawing their weapons with the little training that they have, you never know what could happen.
“I hope that Minneapolis is just another reminder and strong example [of] why people should be outraged about this and furious, because if it’s not that city, it would just be another one,” Klaus said.
Every day, we’re witnessing this country standing up to this regime, and it truly is amazing to see. These people are brought together by a shared feeling of outrage and determination. What Minneapolis is doing and what movement it has sparked is something to be appreciated and highlighted.
It should be noted that it’s not just your everyday citizens who are sick of this corruption. It’s the government’s employees, too.
Instead of sparking fear, the National Guard in Minnesota is creating a sense of security by showing up, albeit on orders, and passing out donuts and coffee to the protestors of Minneapolis. They’re there to protect.
And then you have the cops, standing up for themselves against ICE.
“I do have hope thinking of the news, like the amount of pushback against it,” senior Grant Gillen said. “I recently saw police versus ICE and police telling ICE to go away. I think that someone made a really good point that this would be a really good time for the police to get back their reputation as well if they were to protect citizens. And it doesn’t matter. Citizen, non-citizen. If you’re in America, protect the people.”
We’re seeing a community of people from all over rise up. Some protest, others support. Regardless, it truly is inspiring to see how everyday people are using their voices, ensuring they’re heard.
But more can be done.
“Celebrities need to speak out if [they] have a platform,” Gillen said. “That’s what it’s kind of for. You are choosing to be a public influence no matter what, and I think that it is your duty to speak out. Love thy neighbor, protect thy neighbor. As someone who’s not religious, love thy neighbor and do your research. Keep updated on the news.”
We need to continue to speak up. Everyone does.
This is not a time for silence, and now is the time to prove it.
