King’s Democrats Society recognized as official student organization
King’s Democrats Society is now an official student organization at King’s. I I Graphic by King’s Democrats Society
Earlier this month, The King’s Council officially recognized the King’s Democrats Society as an official student organization at The King’s College.
The official mission statement of the King’s Democrats Society is, “to establish a knowledgeable understanding of the Democratic Party’s core values and how they coincide with the beliefs preserved at The King’s College.”
“I have always been interested in politics,” Taylor Hollenbeck, president of KDS said. “Growing up in the south and not being a Republican, it was hard to show my interest or talk to anyone about it. The word ‘liberal’ was used as an insult or to somehow discredit my knowledge.”
When Hollenbeck, her twin sister Madison Hollenback and friend Nathan Ferguson all moved to New York City last Fall, they expected to find a community of students with similar views. They hoped to finally have political discussions that cater to their own beliefs, but also come from a Christian worldview.
KDS Media Manager Nathan Ferguson I I Photo credit to Taylor Hollenbeck
When they stepped into the classroom, however, they still felt pressured to stay quiet.
“Whenever I share my opinions in the classroom, I sometimes feel out of place,” Nathan Ferguson, Media Manager for KDS said. “Sometimes there will be one or two other people who agree with me, but I’m always afraid a student or professor will lash out in class because of something I said. Sometimes I don’t feel safe to express my beliefs.”
The purpose of creating KDS is to bring rational and respectful conversation to the King’s student body, and to do so in “radical love and acceptance,” Hollenbeck said. She wants to bring the conversations she has with her friends to the entire student body.
“[At King’s] I have made friends who consider themselves Democrats and Republicans, and I’ve had great conversations. Institutionally I don’t feel accepted or necessarily viewed as a good Christian based on my political beliefs,” Hollenbeck said. “For the most part, students are accepting and open and understanding, but I’ve also been called a femi-nazi.”
KDS President Taylor Hollenbeck II Photo credit to Taylor Hollenbeck
Greta Hanten, Vice-President of KDS, grew up in Edina, Minnesota, a more liberal part of the United States, and especially felt the pressure of being institutionally disrespected for her beliefs.
Some of the comments she has received and the backlash that she gets especially hit home for her, as she survived a mass shooting while she was in high school.
“Everyone at King’s is so intelligent,” Hanten said. “Everyone has incredible views, beliefs, and ideas. We just want healthy and respectful conversations within our student body. Different beliefs of America has always been present, you can be a Democrat and still be a Christian. It is not, however, a Christian concept to shame others for their political beliefs.”
The King’s Democrats Society invites all students to their meetings, whether they consider themselves Democrats or not. They want to educate students on voter registration and encourage students to be involved in federal and local government. They also have long-term goals to partner with other political organizations at King’s such as The Table, Students for Life, and the emerging King’s Republicans Society to normalize rational political conversations for the King’s student body.
The student org’s first meeting will be held on October 22.