SEATS AT THE TABLE

As a high school student in Lakewood, I joined in my first protest during the Women’s March on Colorado. It was a chilly morning when my mother and I accompanied thousands of people in a rallying cry for human rights and equality. More than 3 million people across the nation demanded their voices be heard despite setbacks, fears, and injustice.

That step into political action embodied what I came to love about democracy: different people with different perspectives working together to recognize and solve complex problems.

Six years later, my perceptions of democracy expanded when I had the incredible opportunity as part of my political science studies to intern with the city of Fort Collins on affordable housing. I observed many meetings where stakeholders expressed their concerns, and I couldn’t help but wonder: Who is not present at these meetings? This question lingered as I attended City Council meetings held on Tuesday evenings. Anyone with night classes or work would be hard-pressed to make it.

In a perfectly democratic system, everyone has a seat at the table. All voices matter – not just the loud ones. During my internship, I learned it is not enough to vote, protest, or give public comment. My question changed from “Who is not present?” to “Why are they unable to show up? How can I advocate for their seat at the table?”

These questions followed me into my senior year at Colorado State University, where I work as a Democracy Fellow with the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership. This role helps me continue to develop my knowledge of democratic principles as I collaborate with legislators, research ballot measures, and hear students’ perspectives on democracy. I am also a Blake Leadership Scholar and student coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts Ambassadors, and these positions allow me to invite other students into learning and civic engagement.

Democracy, as President Abraham Lincoln so eloquently put it, means government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Human rights are protected, and free and fair elections reflect the will of the people. In practice, democracy does not always live up to our expectations. Yet, the solution is not to throw it all away but to dig deeper, work together, listen to others, and demand that all voices have a seat at the table.

Photo at top: Hannah Prinzi is a senior studying English and political science at CSU. Photo: Mary Neiberg.