This is a reply to the May 3 letter to the editor in which the writer criticized older Democrats [“Demanding student activism while denying them a seat at the table”]. It was unclear to me what upsets him about our activism. He claims that we are denying younger people a seat at the political table. In what way are we doing that? My attitude is that there is room at the table for every activist, for every progressive, for every Democrat. Because we have a lot of work to do and because there is a world of shared sentiment that will only serve us if we work together.

Anyone who reads the opinion page of this newspaper and others knows that Democrats and independents fear for our democracy and all that that entails. I will not go into a litany here. But I am quite sure that if I listed my fears and concerns many students and GenZers would nod their heads. The writer says that many at Hands Off rallies advocate for a return to normalcy. I think that we need to return to normalcy (humanity) in order to allow for growth and progress that future generations will grant this country and planet — if together we can keep this country and planet in good enough shape, which isn’t looking good right now.

It would pain me to think of younger people sitting out politics and activism because they feel there is no use in doing anything. There is! It may be going to rallies, calling legislators, writing letters, doing civil disobedience, attending local activist meetings which include members of all ages. We have enough division in this country. Democrats and progressives cannot afford to have age divide us as well.

Rachael Naismith

Florence