Some Flandreau-area students faced a hefty homework assignment this Monday: write a 2.5-page paper, double-spaced, answering the question, Is America Today Our Forefathers Vision?
Ms. Susan Maiers government and current events classes are studying the Electoral College, the Constitution, the information immigrants must know to pass the United States citizenship test, and how to find reliable information on local, state, and national candidates as this falls general election approaches. Theyre also learning how to navigate through information to distinguish whats real from rhetoric.
What I find extremely interesting is that I started all my classes this year with media bias, Maier said. They need to know trigger words, scare tactics, and that just because someone is writing something for a story, there can be a biased slant in that. They need to know how to recognize how [the media] are trying to manipulate and sway people.
Shes also encouraging her students to seek out reliable sources beyond social media, particularly TikTok, which can create an echo chamber by feeding users more of what they already like to see.
Maier said its imperative, even for herself, that she works to keep any bias out of the classroom. Her students feel she does a good job.
She loves the conversations shes having with her students, and at a time when many people are concerned about the future of the country, shes hopeful these students will help bring things back into balance. Many are offering thoughtful questions and solutions, she noted.
Several of her students, having just turned 18, registered to vote last week to ensure their voices will be heard in the upcoming election. A few miles away, Colman-Egan Senior, Kaitlyn Taggart, who also recently turned 18, headed to the Courthouse as well.
I think its cool to finally be of age where your voice matters and you can actually make a difference. I feel like it will, and Im excited to be able to say, I voted, Taggart said.
She and fellow senior Kinzley Shafer are paying close attention to the candidates, especially on the national level. Both are concerned about issues like inflation, the cost of an ongoing education, and the cost of living now and after high school.
It kind of scares me how much Im going to have to pay, and with all of the prices going up, it gets a little harder, Shafer said.
The two are also thinking about the implications of their vote further down the road.
Right now, my parents can help me, but eventually theres going to come a time where Ill need to help what I hope are my own kids. Its scary to think about whether well be able to do that or not, Taggart said.
One other topic that also continues to come up amongst this generation the political divide. Students concerns echo discussions happening with their peers both in Flandreau and across the nation.
I think its a big problem how people are so stuck in their ways and not willing to take in other peoples views, said one 17-year-old Government student in Flandreau.
Taggart agreed, adding, Right now, theres such a huge divide. Some people wont even talk to others if they associate with a different party. Your party doesnt define who you are. I feel like politics divides a lot of people, so Im hopeful we can find a way to change that.
The General Election is this November 5th.
Polls statewide are open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. To check your polling location and to preview a sample ballot, lot onto https://sdsos.gov/elections.
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