The Freezing Effect of Fear

Olivia Silvey ’25

Editor-in-Chief

Regardless of who you are and how the recent political climate affects you, I think the most prominent undercurrent in society right now is one of fear. I see it in conversations with friends, Instagram posts, op-eds, Yik Yak, class discussions and even polite small talk. Personally, I feel it every day, and it’s been hard to come to terms with how debilitating fear is to me in terms of my actions and words. 

This is an editorial that has been a long time coming, but is still so difficult for me to write. It’s hard to admit that recently, more often than not, fear and apathy has gotten the best of me. I’m afraid that nothing I do, say or feel makes any difference; every day, I feel more powerless against our presidential administration, the bombs killing humans in Gaza, the surge of the far-right across the globe and the exploitation of people across the world (mostly at the hands of our own country). This has manifested in many ways: I see my involvement in activism and organizing decline (what difference does it make if I’m there?). I struggle to write my editorials (who needs to hear what I have to say?). As performative as I think Instagram activism is, I’ve stopped posting about politics (how will a story post change someone’s mind?). 

This editorial is not going to be a pity party for myself, let me make that clear. Throughout all of these fearful, apathetic questions I ask myself, there are a few rays of sunshine that still penetrate through those thoughts. If I’m experiencing this, I know others must be as well. If I’m struggling with this, so are my peers. If I share these struggles, those struggling alongside me might feel less alone (and I will, too). That’s where I’m coming from today. 

As a sociologist, we learn early on the purposeful, paralyzing effect that fear and hopelessness has on the masses. What I am feeling right now, and my inaction that comes from it, is what entities like our government want. As students like Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Öztürk are kidnapped by law enforcement, as the Department of Education is dismantled, as tariffs plunge the globe into financial disaster, of course the people enacting these policies don’t want us to speak up. Not only do they want to further their agenda, but they want to instill fear while doing it so they can continue. 

The real question is, how do we fight back, both in our own heads and in our environment? Now that I’ve put my fear out there for you to read, what do I do next? I wish I had an easy step-by-step guide to share with you all, but you know it’s not that clear. Instead, I think it would be beneficial to discuss some places to start. 

Perhaps selfishly, I think we should simply be talking to each other more – and one place to do that is here, the school paper. I’ve been looking at the Tripod archives quite a bit recently, and it’s astounding to me how much more audience engagement there was in the newspaper pre-social media. Logically, it makes sense, since the digital world is where we primarily exchange ideas, but in my opinion, it’s much more profound to read a strong op-ed by your classmate than click through their Instagram highlights. Even if your writing does not sharply focus on current politics, engaging with peers on the page is a powerful way to say, “I am actually listening to you.” In the past, the opinion section has been full of back-and-forth on issues ranging from campus policies to national politics. If we have more of that engagement, I think as a whole, our community would feel more united, heard and connected. 

Another place to start combatting our fear is in community. Trinity students have created and sustained a wide variety of organizations that are here to do the very thing (among many others) that I’m talking about in this editorial; being amongst peers who care about similar issues is the best way to feel less alone and scared. Speaking from experience, it’s easy to opt-out of the weekly meetings, group chat texts and event commitments. It’s hard to make yourself engage in activities that sometimes require facing reality head on – that is, until you’re at a meeting or event and you notice how much more relaxed you feel physically and mentally when surrounded by other smart, strong students. We have a responsibility to others and ultimately ourselves to stay connected to each other and our reality. 

Finally, I believe that a powerful way to combat our inner fear is to be in conversation with people outside of Trinity. As a graduating senior, the last four years have proved it’s easy to get wrapped up in the bubble of our campus and forget that life really does go on beyond the iron fence. While organizing and community on campus is important, there’s always a risk of losing sight of the wider world. If campus groups don’t interest you, there is so much action going on in Hartford, Connecticut, our hometowns and beyond that we can engage with. Even talking to friends at other colleges can be beneficial.

I want to remind you that my suggestions here simply scratch the surface of what we can do to combat our own fear, insecurity and inaction. I hope my words helped some of you feel less alone and more inspired. As someone who has been letting fear dictate my actions, I’m here to encourage us all – especially myself – that we can change the narrative, whatever that looks like to you. 

With peace, 

OPS

PS – I’d love to hear from anyone that this editorial resonates with, and how you’ve been combatting fear and apathy in your own life. I’m sure we could all benefit from your words. Email me at olivia.silvey@trincoll.edu