Klein College of Media and Communication hosted a watch party to encourage students to take an active role in their democracy.
At Temple University, students do not shy away from involving themselves in political campaigns and advocacy groups. Students have found their power and voice in taking advantage of public forums. Throughout the school year students have called out to each other to express and create cause for conversation.
On Sept. 10, 2024, public forums took center stage as campus-wide watch parties were held for students to view the presidential debate together. These watch parties were held by groups of students in various organizations, by students in apartments among friends and by Klein College of Media and Communication, held at Annenberg Hall.
At the beginning of the night in Annenberg Hall, students’ feelings ranged from ridden with anxiety, to exceptionally optimistic. Students explained that their reason for watching was to remain informed, and they were curious. This was the first and only time these two candidates faced each other on the debate stage.
Students shared mutual perspectives through expressions of laughter, audible shock and murmurs of agreement when a candidate spoke throughout the watch party.
Throughout the election season, Temple heavily encouraged students to not only register to vote, but to become politically conscious overall. Students at Annenberg Hall took the initiative to speak up during a Q&A at the watch party to exchange opinions with the rest of the theatre.
David Mindich, a professor at Klein College and an organizer of the watch party, expressed how important it is for students to gather together, share perspectives and support each other in a time of uncertainty. He was able to conduct the Q&A segment during commercial breaks and asked students to anonymously vote on who they believed was winning the debate.
“There are some students who think their vote doesn’t matter, but when they start looking at the bigger picture – our vote matters, and that’s what a debate watch party is for,” Mindich explained.
These watch parties created an opportunity for conversation among the next generation of voters. At university, students participating in open forums contribute to not only the education of students as a whole but are actively spreading information while doing so. A range of perspectives and opinions are necessary to develop morality and call awareness to individual responsibility to participate in our civic rights this year and for the future.
Mindich explained that students are there to be with each other. When they gather together they learn that the act of organization itself exhibits that they care about their collective community, something that can be considered much larger than Temple. It allows students to listen and hear or even help each other and offer up ideas or perspectives they haven’t heard before.
Educating individuals about each candidate is important. A presidential election occurs every four years, and things like a watch party create awareness for collegiate voters on what really makes up a democracy. Educating students across the board every four years about the components of an election and its process is essential to being an active participant in democracy and can offer pride in one’s voice.
“I think it is crucial for students to be engaged in the voting process. I hope the debate party shaped enthusiasm about the voting process,” Mindich said. “To step up and become politically powerful is a power we do have, I hope that right is exercised by young people, particularly those who care about their own rights and the rights of others.”