By Mia Cho
Opinion Editor
The impeachment process of President Trump receives attention from the media every day. As the impeachment hearings unfold, they are constantly being covered by various news and media networks, making the information accessible to almost everyone.
These proceedings are an opportunity for students to involve themselves in current events that could impact them in the future. Regardless of students’ political views or personal beliefs, it is imperative that in an age of political activism, students are staying informed about the impeachment proceedings and the controversy surrounding the issue.
The impeachment proceedings provide an unrivaled opportunity for students to learn about the mechanisms of our government. Although learning history and developing historical thinking abilities is extremely important inside the classroom, reading about a past event through a textbook cannot equate to the vital everyday conversations with peers and teachers on current events. Trump’s impeachment is developing every day with updates such as testimonies and records being released by the hour, and our current generation is living through an extremely significant moment in U.S. history.
There have only been two other presidents that have gone through the process, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, but both were acquitted by the Senate. Being knowledgeable on the impeachment hearings provides valuable understanding that students can use to further their understanding of the world and its history.
Staying updated with the impeachment process can aid in developing students’ own political beliefs becuase many of Costa’s current seniors will be eligible to vote in next year’s 2020 presidential election.
According to the California History-Social Science Content Standards by the California Department of Education, students in grade 12 must learn about the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in an impeachment proceeding. If students study this material in their classes while a current, real-life example is unfolding every day, it will immensely benefit their understanding of our government’s procedures.
Associating the impeachment proceeding to the classroom curriculum provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to their lives outside of school.
According to National Public Radio, a nonprofit membership media organization, there is a growing trend where young people are not voting because they are unfamiliar with how the government works. This trend was defined by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), an initiative at Tufts University that conducts studies and research on political participation among the current generation. Due to the lack of understanding among young people on the election and government processes, they do not vote because they feel their vote is futile.
If more students were aware of important current events like current impeachment proceedings, they will be able to gain an applicable level of understanding, encouraging them to become politically involved. If this trend continues, it may cause an uneducated generation to mature into adulthood with limited political knowledge.
There is a drastic difference between the percentage of younger and older generations who vote. According to the United States Census Bureau, 66.1% of those above the age of 65 voted in the 2018 midterm elections, whereas only 35.6% of those between the ages of 18-29 voted. The percentage of young people that vote is demonstrative of the political apathy prevalent among the current generation. Seeing as the changes that come from the elections impact students’ futures, it is crucial that students at this age are educated about society’s current political climate.
According to president of the political debate at Costa and representative of League of Women Voters Collette Tibbets, all students should keep up with the current impeachment inquiries because no matter the outcome, it will impact everyone because it impacts the mindset of the American public.
Students should understand the current impeachment proceedings because they provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the governmental processes.
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