Newsletter The Principled Press
Blog Post 2
The last five months have been the most unusual time that I have ever experienced. The second half of the spring semester was spent taking classes online and social interactions were through texts or Zoom calls.
I’m preparing to return to Lehigh for my junior year in a few weeks. Everything is still up in the air. Classes will either be entirely remote or a mix of in person and online. Social events will either be nonexistent or limited.
I plan to hang out and socialize with peers when I return, but to ensure that I will do it in the safest way possible.
It’s hard to know what the country is going to be like in the months to come, but I am praying that we can all come together to stop the spread of this deadly virus and follow guidelines.
During this time, I have treasured the moments that I’ve gotten to spend with my family and we are fortunate that all of us have stayed healthy. This time has also taught me to be grateful for all the opportunities that have been presented to me.
We will all continue to get through this together. Let’s pray more people will start to come together to end the virus and a vaccine will be approved as soon as possible.
Andrew Isaacson is a rising junior at Lehigh University. He is a double major in journalism and political science with a minor in mass communication. He is a full-time resident of New York but also resides part-time in Sparta, where he's been staying since COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March. Andrew is excited to gain political experience with the SCDC and especially being a part of the most important election in our lifetime.
Newsletter The Principled Press
Blog Post 1
On May 25, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis Police Officer who had a knee on his neck for over eight minutes while Floyd screamed, “I can’t breathe!” The gruesome scene that was recorded and posted all over social media sparked massive worldwide protests around the world.
To make matters worse, this was only one of many incidents of police brutality within the last decades. How much racial injustice will we endure before there are major changes and everyone is treated equally?
While I was sickened by the officers’ heinous actions, I was inspired by seeing all the Black Lives Matter (BLM) rallies occur throughout the country in cities like New York and Los Angeles, rural towns, and everything in between. This time feels different since more people from all walks of life and racial ethnicities showed outrage and demanded action.
The demonstrators have shown us what the true power of democracy is and that all of us have the power to change this nation for future generations.
When I heard that there was a BLM rally coming to Newton, New Jersey on June 6, I was eager to be a part of it.
I was amazed by turnout, especially given the fact that Sussex County has historically had little minority presence, and I was gratified by the sight of hundreds of mask-wearing protestors in a town of only 8,000. I, personally, had never seen that much activism in Sussex County, and I was moved by the signs that bore the names of the victims of the police brutality that has marred our country for decades: Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and many more whose names should never be forgotten.
As a white privileged male, I come with my own biases and I acknowledge that it is more challenging for me to talk about this issue without having had the same kinds of experiences. I see my individual role as empathizing with the Black community, educating myself on racial injustice and police brutality topics, and most importantly listening attentively to Black voices.
I’ve been trying to do my part during this time by signing petitions, donating to a BLM fundraiser at Lehigh, and reading about the history of these subjects. I’ve also been teaching myself about this movement by following people on social media whose opinions help inform me. This is an issue that impacts everyone in their local communities and throughout the rest of the country.
I will continue to listen to and read about the Black experience in the United States, and I will continue to advocate and work for change. The world is a better place when we all show compassion and listen to each other.
Andrew Isaacson is a rising junior at Lehigh University. He is a double major in journalism and political science with a minor in mass communication. He is a full-time resident of New York but also resides part-time in Sparta, where he's been staying since COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March. Andrew is excited to gain political experience with the SCDC and especially being a part of the most important election in our lifetime.