Despite the long history of the two-party system in the United States, more people are identifying as politically independent. However, unaffiliated voters were not officially represented by any student organization at Emory University. Hugo Rosen (28C) and Benjamin Braun (28C) recognized this fact while discussing political views, which inspired them to found Emory Independents.
The group aims to facilitate political discourse and critical thought about current events without submitting to party ideologies or polarization, according to Emory Independents Secretary Katherine Mombo (28C). She works alongside Rosen, who serves as president, and the club’s co-vice presidents, Braun and Oz Alon (28C).
Mombo expressed her desire to foster an environment where people can share their beliefs with others and be met with understanding and open dialogue.
“The most important ideas don't come from echo chambers,” Mombo said. “They come from conversations, and they do come from disagreement, and we have to confront the difficult conversations head-on if we want to ultimately make progress.”
Emory Independents’ nonpartisan structure sets them apart from clubs like the Young Democrats of Emory or the recently restarted Emory College Republicans. As part of the club constitution, Emory Independents will never endorse any political candidate or policy, according to Braun.
Braun said people hold misconceptions surrounding the club’s ideology, mainly due to people attempting to assign them one.
“People thought that I was starting the centrist club, the no strong opinions club, the libertarian club or the Green Party club,” Braun said. “That's not what we are.”
According to Braun, Emory Independents seeks to encourage discourse on campus by creating an open space where anybody can “feel comfortable” engaging with politics without having to agree with a specific set of views.
Alon highlighted that this places Emory Independents in a unique position to mediate debates between the two sides. He also emphasized the importance of objectivity in the political realm.
“The nature of Georgia being a swing state means that there is both a Republican and Democrat presence,” Alon said. “By having Emory Independents run that portion of politics, we'd be better suited to explain those nuances with very little bias in either direction.”
Mombo said there is hope that, along with encouraging deep conversation and analysis, the club will promote inclusivity and unity.
“Many of the things that people want, regardless of political belief, are the same,” Mombo said. “People really just want safety, liberty, rights and the pursuit of happiness, ultimately. And by fostering these meaningful discussions, we’re hoping for people to ultimately realize that we have more in common than we don't.”
According to Rosen, the club has submitted their charter application and expects an initial status update on March 7. However, the group already hosted their first meeting on Jan. 28 and has plans for events in the near future.
Rosen noted that the club will host a discussion on the history and current situation of the Israel-Palestine conflict on Feb. 12. The talk will feature Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Geoffrey Levin.
Braun added that the club plans to bring in guest speakers and organize events for the broader Emory community in the future.
For Braun, political non-affiliation means being true to oneself through self-education and critical thinking, even when it is easier to conform.
Mombo illustrated the necessity of empowering students with the skills to bring these values of respectful discussion and open dialogue to Emory “to break down barriers.”
“You can’t refute an argument unless you understand all of the perspectives of that argument,” Mombo said. “Emory Independents is an organization that aims to help students understand all of the perspectives and then come away from those discussions either choosing a new perspective or even choosing to not have an opinion at all and just understanding that each side can have valid claims.”
Kimble Schiller (she/her) (26Ox,28C) is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in economics and philosophy, politics and law. Outside of the Wheel, she can be found studying, hiking, writing for fun, or spending time with friends.
