‘The oxygen of democracy’: Amy Goodman Urges Students to Take Action

Independent political journalist Amy Goodman urged the University of Illinois Chicago to “step up” against authoritarianism and use independent journalism to challenge systems of power at Independent Journalism’s Role in Fighting Authoritarianism seminar on September 6.

Goodman is the co-founder and host of Democracy Now!, an independent news program she’s led for more than three decades. She’s reported on human rights, international conflicts and political issues throughout her career. To many, she’s an exemplar for journalists to divert away from corporate media and thrive independently. 

Speaking to an eager crowd, Goodman said people can’t simply support democracy passively. She believes most Americans strive for the betterment of society, but that takes real action and effort. She encouraged attendees to move beyond social media posts and take action through journalism, speech and community engagement.

“Those who care about putting an end to the corporate media that strive to silence the majority and those who exemplify that everyone is a human being, but more relevantly, everyone is a person who deserves dignity,” Goodman said. “It is up to absolutely no one else but us, to take that power back.”

Justice is executed through various steps, she said, but it isn’t as complex as one may think. Goodman encouraged people to just listen, let themselves be inspired by the voices around them and then use their own to make a rift in the system.

“Everyday people, all around, hold the power,” Goodman said. “We just have to catch it and determine how we can utilize it.”

She urged students to become reporters and “know no borders” using photos, videos and voice and to “share the story a million times over.” She challenged them not to shy away from discomfort, arguing confronting difficult truths is essential to creating change. 

Her goal is “respair,” a combination of resilience and hope in the face of despair because change doesn’t happen overnight. She said change requires faith, persistence and a willingness to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity.

Finally, Goodman motivated students to “own up to your responsibility and use your power.”

Goodman delved into how the United States is experiencing internal warfare. While some may feel disconnected from the pervasive hatred and violence, she said everyone is a bystander obligated to do something.

As misplaced as it may sound to say we are tied to the heinous actions being committed, we are passively culpable. But consequently, “we have more power than anyone to change the trajectory that the U.S. has come to represent,” Goodman said.

She advocated for young people to become the hope of the future, where they fight for a system that stands for everyone. 

“We may have had democracy promised, but not now and not for everyone,” Goodman said.

Within the attentive crowd, nodding their heads in agreement, was a UIC first-year writing and publishing major, Maggie Robinson. She said she’s met Goodman a couple times, and while she’s heard Goodman speak before, it was even more informative and inspiring then she could’ve predicted and she was excited for the unison among her and her peers afterwards. 

Unfortunately, Robinson was the youngest attendee there. One of three students present.

Robinson was unpleasantly surprised to learn she was the only UIC student to attend, despite the seminar being held on her campus. As inspiring as it is hearing such an influential figure speak, it was equally disheartening to witness it alone. 

“I would just love to see more students taking advantage of such an incredible resource,” she said.

Robinson echoed questions Goodman raised only minutes before: Why aren’t more people involving themselves in opportunities to protect democracy when they have the resources to do so?

Goodman said independent media can give people a way to participate in public life and challenge systems of power. Through this, anyone can take a stand to authoritarianism and challenge what’s corrupt. Goodman concluded her seminar by arguing independent journalism is the “oxygen of democracy,” urging students to use their voices and engage with issues affecting their neighbors.