News Breakdown: Navigating Geopolitical Conflicts and Society's Response to Them

By Alexis Trifon

In a world grappling with conflict, hate, and extremism, society appears more divided than ever. The consequences of these phenomena are being felt in communities across the country and world, with an increase in hate crimes, political polarization, and an overall sense of anxiety.

Most recently, with the Israel-Hamas war, American college campuses have become a place for protests and, in some cases, violence. It is clear that many universities have failed to foster a safe environment for their students, but these conflicts are affecting and eliciting responses not only from college students. As discussed in our February article, “News Breakdown: American Teenagers Are in Crisis,” this backdrop—whether it's war or a pandemic—has a deep impact on youth.

Like many, I worry about our future—the world that we will inherit from those before us, which is constantly changing due to new technological advancements like AI and geopolitical trends. Conversations about what's happening in the world hold great importance, but it is how we conduct these conversations that worries me. There has been a shift in society and our style of communication. In this contemporary, digital world, disagreement often takes precedence over agreement, and shame (cancel culture) is used as a form of currency or social capital. 

So, how can we fix this? While solving these problems with communication is well beyond the scope of one article, I believe a solution lies in our acknowledgement of different perspectives and our commitment to respecting them. When we come from a place of understanding and compassion, unity and consensus are possible. Of course, there are limitations to this framework, but it is imperative that society be more empathetic, because only then will individuals have the necessary tools and experiences to engage in the debates of tomorrow.

Resources to Help:

https://time.com/5929978/the-u-s-capitol-riot-was-years-in-the-making-heres-why-america-is-so-divided/

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-11-17/editorial-beyond-strife-bring-informed-debate-back-to-universities

https://www.lifewithlex.online/post/news-breakdown-american-teenagers-are-in-crisis

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/2022-october-political-empathy.html

https://news.stanford.edu/2022/08/30/political-consensus-empathy/