Leo Casalini
Contributing Writer
On Nov. 4, the second edition of ‘Speak Out’ was held in the Learning Garden Pavilion at The College of Wooster. The event was organized by the Wooster Advocacy Group and sponsored by a current class at the College titled “Democracy and its Advocates.” The event, titled “Democracy Is Under Attack: Speak Out Now,” aimed to provide a place for people to air their thoughts, ideas and beliefs about the current state of political affairs in the United States. During the hour-and-a-half-long event, the mic was open to anyone who wanted to talk, aside from a few predetermined speakers.
Désirée Weber, associate professor of political science at the College, made clear the correlation between the date of the event and the numerous gubernatorial and mayoral elections taking place around the country that same day. Weber stated that “while voting is a key part of democracy, democratic practices include many, many, many more things besides just voting. And they, to me at least, include being able to talk about politics, so this is an event to help us keep those kinds of skills fresh.”
Alex Moore, a Wooster resident, was the first to take the mic. Reflecting on her experiences as a college student during the Vietnam War protests, she highlighted some disturbing differences between the governmental response to resistance then and now. “For all our shortcomings, our passionate idealism achieved landmark achievements in civil rights, women’s rights, environmental protection, racial and sexual orientation freedoms … and for all the upheaval in the 60s, the core values and freedoms of democracy held fast.” Moore expressed concerns about the current government failing to regard constitutional norms in implementing policies.
Rick Helmuth, another Wooster resident, took the mic a bit later, stressing the importance of individuals pushing back against things they disagree with. As Helmuth listed catastrophic events he had lived through, he encouraged the crowd to persevere and work to improve the world through democratic systems for future generations. “I mention all of this because, to me, protesting is integral to democracy. It’s a way you can protect your constitutional rights by exercising them the same way you protect your body by exercising your muscles.” Perhaps more directed toward the younger members of the crowd, Helmuth added that “there’s a lot of work to be done — get off your ass and get to work.”
As if in response to Helmuth’s call for younger people to take up the baton, Axel Anderson ’29 rose to speak, offering up a way for people today to approach action and create change. Anderson emphasized that, rather than being large entities outside of human control, corporations and institutions are made of people. “We’re talking about ICE agents, those are people. Those are people with families.” Anderson urged the crowd to make connections with those of contrary viewpoints, saying, “to make lasting change, you affect the people and that affects the institution.”
Jack Freer ’26 drew attention to the uncertainty concerning the future availability of food benefit programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Having worked with City Fresh, an organization which provides access to fresh fruits and vegetables in northeastern Ohio, he has come to understand that “there’s a certain line that I think [the current Trump administration is] a bit hesitant to cross, and that’s truly messing with people’s food.” Freer highlighted the need for continued and increased local support regarding food security. “I genuinely and truly believe that we are going to be in a food squeeze at every single realm in society. And, as such, it is very important to me that we continue to do these things, like these food drives and these local organizing to make sure the communities are as self-sufficient as possible.”
As Freer left the stage, Weber took the microphone to present some statistics about food insecurity. “42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits. That’s one in eight people in the United States,” Weber said. Echoing the need for community in times of discord, Lauren Riley ’26 spoke on the importance of living deliberately and enacting change. She urged people to “go learn a skill that doesn’t just benefit you, but can benefit your community. And then practice that skill in a way that benefits other people. I don’t want to see people become alienated from each other, and I don’t want to create this idea that all we have to rely on is, you know, the hands that be, the structures above”.
At the close of the event, Weber encouraged all who were interested in helping their community to attend the Fix’N’Swap event being held on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1-4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on College Avenue.
