I’m a United Methodist. This is my first time at Spring Lobby Weekend but I brought a group from the university with me: eight students and three chaperones. It was an 8-hour drive. We rented a van and the students made a 9-hour playlist, that I actually liked— including Justin Timberlake music from when I was like 15.
Spring Lobby Weekend is a gift to educators. It’s a great chance to teach students how government works and how they can influence it. It’s relatively cheap as an experiential learning opportunity, especially if the group stays in hostels. And it’s an amazing “professionalism” opportunity. At Spring Lobby Weekend, the students have a chance to put into practice what they are learning in class. We’re meeting a senator and a congressman from our state. I hope more educators will bring groups!
Our students are 50% first-generation college students and 40% POC. And four of the eight students that came are POC, so a pretty representative set.
I don’t know if what we are doing here makes a difference in the grand scheme—it’s an open question to me because of how money has a big impact on politics. But it can only get worse if we don’t show up. It’s better that we are here than be absent. Big business doesn’t have an influence everywhere, and on those issues that they ignore, we can make a difference.
I’m grateful for the opportunity for students to be involved in politics in a respectful and compassionate way. Quakers have a lot to teach us.
Elizabeth lives in Mars Hill, North Carolina where she teaches at Mars Hill University and directs the MHU Center for Ethics.