The episode of the Conversations4Citizenship podcast features an in-depth discussion with Jayden Carmona and Subham Barua, two students from UC Riverside in the US, about the pro-Palestinian protests sweeping US college campuses.

Jayden and Subham provide their perspectives on the resurgence of campus activism, attributing it to recent social justice movements and the immediate impact of the October 7 attack and subsequent war on Gaza. The students also discussed the differences in protest dynamics between East and West Coast campuses and the potential impact of these movements on voter turnout in the upcoming election. They emphasized the importance of civic engagement and voting, regardless of political affiliation.

Both guests emphasized the role of social media in shaping narratives and organizing protests. Subham highlighted how social media, combined with generative AI, can affect perceptions of the conflict, especially among less tech-savvy populations. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in spreading both accurate and misleading information, with Subham noting how algorithms can amplify certain narratives, whether true or false. Jayden adds that while social media can bring attention to important issues, it also has the potential to spread extremist views.

The discussion touched on concerns about antisemitism arising from these protests. While acknowledging some instances of antisemitic rhetoric, both students believed this was not representative of the majority of protesters and doubted it would significantly impact the upcoming US elections.Subham expresses concern that Republicans might weaponize the unrest to paint Democrats as radical, while Jayden is skeptical about the overall influence of foreign policy issues on American voters. Both agree that increased political engagement among students is a positive outcome, regardless of the immediate electoral impact.

The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of voting and civic engagement. Jayden shares his journey into politics, motivated by the election of Donald Trump and his Cuban heritage. Subham underscores the need for students to use their academic work to give voice to those affected by conflicts, urging them to write about meaningful issues.

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Text us on WhatsApp : +44 7783 680128
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com

Thanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!