As my time draws near to leave Notre Dame and my walks around campus grow more frequent, I am forever grateful for what this University has imparted to me. My worldview has been shaped by this school and what it calls us to be. I am a Democrat because of my time at Notre Dame and the ideal of being a "force for good."
At Notre Dame, these are more than words. Rather, this challenge to be a force for good is one that was enshrined into our University’s very fiber at the beginning. In his letter announcing the foundation of the University of Notre Dame, Father Sorin wrote, "This college cannot fail to succeed ... It will be one of the most powerful means for good in this country." Between Bond Hall and St. Mary's Lake, there is a monument dedicated to this ideal and the school that came from this letter. This plaque serves as a reminder to all those who walk these quads and pass through these hallowed halls of what Notre Dame calls us to.
When I first came to campus, I remember telling those in my political science classes that I was a moderate and did not like to debate politics (If only my younger self could see me now). Back then, I didn't want to stand out; now, I know we are called to stand up.
Notre Dame taught me how to stand up for the things that I believe in. More specifically, this place taught me how to be a Democrat.
Whether you grew up at Notre Dame through faith, fellowship or a combination of both, the values of our shared home are a blueprint for a better world.
To be a force for good is to follow and champion the lessons of our creator. Here, at Notre Dame, we are reminded of the instructions to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal the sick. In our daily lives under the dome, we have been shown how to be peacemakers, loving our neighbors as we would ourselves. This sacred place has taught me how to humbly serve God, Country and Notre Dame, in that order.
Experiencing Notre Dame with so many bright young individuals has demonstrated to me the strength of a community sharing so many of the same values. The Notre Dame I know is one where our differences are something to be celebrated, and our disagreements foster compromises. Here, we fight for a better world, in service of those around us.
To answer the call to be a force for good, it can require all of these things and so much more. This is a worldview that demands more of us than just sitting in the same pew every Sunday. While none of us can walk on water, it is our job to do these things, because if it is not us, then who will?
To be clear, there has never been a time more in need of people committed to serving the common good. In the U.S. today, home ownership seems like a fantasy of the past, healthcare is uncertain for millions and 73% of workers are unable to afford anything beyond basic living expenses. Our generation enters the real world at a time when the American Dream seems darker than ever before.
In Washington, our nation's leaders have never been more corrupt. Members of Congress use their access to net thousands as Americans struggle to put food on the table. In addition, the president's personal profits grow daily from his meme coin that allows the wealthy to pay him directly for influence in a market that he is currently deregulating. The Trump administration has also gutted numerous agencies dedicated to protecting everyday people from fraud, exploitation and discrimination.
These mounting challenges will require an equally determined force of people dedicated to the common good. The good news is, the call to be a force for good is second nature to Notre Dame students. I know who we are. Over the last four years, I have watched my peers welcome the stranger at the dining hall table, dedicate their weekends to service and hold the DeBart door for the next person in line. Notre Dame grads are poised to take on the challenges of our times, and the Democratic Party can be the vessel for this.
Being a force for good is not only what we are called to do because of our shared belief in a higher power. More precisely, it is the call of our shared belief in being a part of something bigger than ourselves. I am a Democrat because of the duty, which Notre Dame instilled in me, to be a force for good.
When our time at Notre Dame draws to a close and we venture out from Notre Dame Avenue, this is what we will take with us. Some of the memories and friendships may fade, but the values and truths we hold dear will unite us forever. This place and the ideals it has shown me have made me a Notre Dame Democrat.
Jack is a proud Michigander, a small-towner, a man of Fisher, a senior and a licensed boat captain in that order. He enjoys gritty Midwestern football, planespotting and speechwriting. If you are in urgent need of his consultation or would like to berate him, he can be found frolicking about campus or via email at jsirian2@nd.edu.
