Editor’s Be aware: This text was written for Mosaic, an unbiased journalism coaching program for highschool and school college students who report and {photograph} tales underneath the steerage {of professional} journalists.
The explosive nationwide debate over the state of democracy is hitting house amongst South Bay teenagers.
A random survey performed by Mosaic of almost 20 native college students discovered that almost all consider democracy within the U.S. is underneath risk from censorship, political polarization and authorities overreach.
The South Bay is considered one of California’s most politically lively and left-leaning areas. Even so, many teenagers who stay there expressed frustration that their voices aren’t being heard.
“The First Amendment to me means that you are able to voice your opinion without any restrictions,” mentioned Naithik Viswajith, a freshman at Santa Clara Excessive. “(But) there has recently been lots of violence … this has made a lot of people scared to voice them.”
Survey respondents pointed to fears about unchecked authorities energy, ICE immigrant raids, and an unprecedented partisan division. Their considerations observe with nationwide surveys like CIRCLE’s 2024 Youth Ballot citing teenagers’ rising political consciousness.
“We’re seeing many warning signs and early beginning stages of fascism, which has been taught to us in World History,” mentioned Catheleen Chirinos, a Santa Clara Excessive junior.
For the survey, teenagers responded to questions on free speech, immigration crackdowns and the upcoming California election. They voiced main considerations about ICE immigration roundups within the Bay Space.
Theodore Nguyen, a freshman at Mission Faculty, questioned whether or not ICE revered immigrants’ constitutional rights.
“ICE cannot infringe on those rights, yet mistakes like detaining a legal veteran show policies need revision. It’s abhorrent,” mentioned Nguyen.
Olivia Nelson, a senior at Highland Excessive, warned the difficulty goes deeper than coverage.
“We are a country built on immigrants,” Nelson mentioned. “Can we even call ourselves the ‘melting pot’ if we cut out everyone not white?”
Solely 5 of the 18 surveyed college students had heard in regards to the upcoming California election to redraw congressional districts — the outcomes might shift which get together controls Congress.
“I haven’t heard of an election,” mentioned Nguyen. “But I’ve heard of the proposal to redraw districts. I don’t think it’ll affect party control much.”
Santa Clara Excessive senior Nishita Viswajith believes the shortage of dependable data contributes to democracy’s decline.
Efforts to curtail free speech sparked sturdy reactions.
“Extreme hate and cyberviolence should be regulated,” mentioned Ophelia Lee, a senior at Abraham Lincoln Excessive in San Jose. “But the government or platforms shouldn’t overstep into limiting criticism based on their biases.”
College students are also disturbed by the nation’s deep political polarization.
“The constant divide makes it hard to trust government decisions,” mentioned Nathik Viswajith, a freshman at Santa Clara Excessive. “It seems like parties care more about themselves than the people.”
Despite the fact that they’ll’t vote but, a number of teenagers mentioned they need to get extra civically concerned. One group, San Jose Youth Changemakers, exhibits them find out how to obtain social change by teaming with others.
“We want young people to know that they have power… even if they can’t vote,” mentioned Vivian Kuang, a youth organizer with the group.
Whereas youth vitality is excessive, consultants say colleges typically fail to nurture it.
“They want to be educated in a way that invites them into the political system, yet schools are not doing enough to prepare them,” mentioned Jennifer de Forest, director of analysis at YouthTruth, a nonprofit group that helps colleges enhance by accumulating pupil suggestions by way of surveys.
The group’s 2024 nationwide survey revealed deep gaps in civic schooling.
“Less than 50% of kids reported that it’s important to vote,” mentioned de Forest. “School has become more about personal achievement than about learning to contribute to the common good.”
Nonetheless, many South Bay teenagers stay decided to take part in democracy’s future.
Jovana Bierman, senior at MacDonald Excessive in Santa Clara, echoes that sense of duty.
“The core pillars of our democracy are under attack…(reminding) me the more I vote, the more power I have to change things,” mentioned Bierman.
Sonia Mankame is a member of the category of 2026 at Santa Clara Excessive Faculty.
