Letter from The Contemporary Editorial Board

America has changed. It appears to many that bi-partisan dialogue and understanding has failed completely, making many on both sides withdraw from politics altogether. But withdrawal – into pure partisanship, or out of politics itself – at this critical moment in our lives would be antithetical to everything that this country and The Contemporary should strive for.

We believe that mobilizing a movement of millennials who engage at the center – not just the left or the right – is the only political strategy that has a chance to represent us in this new era. An alternative future for engagement exists: this is that space for it to move forward.

In this new era, there is not a political party that entirely represents our collective interests. We are not so naïve to think that any candidate or party ever will, especially given the inherent nature of politics. However, we believe that the forces of Globalization, Diversity, and Pluralism are forces for good. We want to be the voice for a global generation that is multiracial, multiethnic, multi and non-religious, connected, and committed to a better future. Therefore, we call for an entirely new politics that can reclaim and build a coalition around the center. 

It was in this spirit that we hosted our bi-partisan panel on election night, with representatives from Trinity Progressives, Tigers For Liberty, Trinity University Black Student Union, and PRIDE at Trinity University. We hope that you, our community of readers, will continue to engage in this way and help us make these conversations even more productive.

Indeed, this is an ambitious project. But with our growing network of 11 universities across the United States, we are gradually building a movement. All that we ask is this: join us.  

Sincerely, 

The Contemporary Editorial Board