By Jacob Strangis |Staff Writer|
CSUSB and other students around the United States are known for their lack of interest in politics.
President Barrack Obama bid farewell this past week in his speech at his final White House correspondent dinner.
The dinner is a special and iconic annual evening event that strives to represent hundreds of journalists who cover the White House.
The dinner is to ensure a strong free press and robust coverage, by allowing access to the president and other government administration officials.
Often celebrities, comedians, and other big name people attend these dinner roasts as well and may or may not give a speech of their own, such as Keegan Michael Key who acted as Obama’s personal anger interpreter in 2015.
Obama has been known to lighten the mood and seriousness of his speeches at these dinners with frequent jokes and puns, although they sometimes are relevant to today’s problems in America.
“You all look great tonight,” stated President Obama.
“The end of the Republic never looked so good,” continued Obama.
Which caused a great deal of laughter among the crowd.
This statement was indeed humorous, however does bring attention to the fact that U.S. citizens are increasingly divided, and that the American government is in desperate need of repair.
Students around campus were asked if they viewed the speech or not.
Almost all students answered “no” that they not have seen the correspondent dinner speech.
Most did not seem to care about any political or presidential speech due to them being busy with their own lives.
“I care about everything, but my attention is elsewhere,” said student Kyle Knickum.
“I feel like too many people get their feet wet and attempt to talk like they know politics when in reality they don’t know what they’re talking about,” added Knickum.
Many students relate to this quote in that they are focused on building their own lives as young adults, in addition to their novice understanding of politics, which leads to them not caring or not getting involved.
However, it appears that may be changing.
“It is generally true and disappointing that the youth isn’t that involved with politics, but at the Bernie Sanders Ralleys there is plenty of youth support,” said CSUSB professor Joel Harris.
“The younger demographic has come out more since the announcement of Bernie’s campaign, the young voters will turn out if there is a candidate that appeals them and speaks their language,” concluded Harris.
The nation may end up seeing a great deal of youth political involvement if Sander’s wins the 2016 presidential election, but it is not certain.
The reason for this is the fact that Sanders is considered an idealist which is appealing to younger generation.
Similar to Sanders, the youth tends to relate to Obama’s style and persona.
Obama does attempt to try his best to appeal to the youth and future of the nation.
The enthusiastic president likes went out in style and concluded his correspondent dinner speech with the last two words “Obama out” and proceeded to hold out drop a muted mic to the floor before walking off stage.
“I think that is actually funny and relevant; because he is actually done with his presidency” said student Haille Johnson.
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