by Rachel Frazer
As a major within the Communication, Arts and Media department at my university and an OIL zero-star, I have to admit I’ve not understood a large portion of what’s happened in the last 36 hours.
When I began college as a wide-eyed, naive freshmen, I found my place in groups of people who shared my interests and values. I joined any club I had the slightest amount of interest in: advertising club, student publications, student association and ambassadorship committees… The list goes on. As a result of these organizations, I’ve learned more about who I am, what I care about and what my calling is.
At Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, I’ve learned legislators have their own variety of clubs to help them find their places, too. Caucuses range in topic from political parties, ethnicity, or identities and interests. In the House this morning, delegates were invited to join caucuses such as the Ginger caucus, the Beard caucus, the Black caucus, the Common Sense caucus and the Asian caucus.
Molly Turner, freshman liaison, invited members of the House to join her recently-founded Kennedy caucus. Kevin Kennedy was named the chair of the caucus this morning.
“I got the idea because Jackie Kennedy is my hero in life,” Turner said. “I aspire to be like her. I constantly wear pearls; I always try to keep up with fashion. I just want to continue to stay classy.”
Kennedy emphasized the caucus was also intended to make a difference within the House during session.
“I wanted to do the Kennedy caucus because sometimes things can get not so classy in the house,” she said. “So if you see someone lashing out, and they’re a member of the caucus, you encourage them to calm down.”
The best part about these caucuses, in my opinion, is that the caucuses are fun. In an environment where it seems every delegate has an agenda for or against every other delegate, the interesting groups eliminate the political tension and polarization, encouraging collaboration and compromise instead.
I know there will probably be points throughout the rest of the week when I still feel lost, even though I’m getting more comfortable. Just like the clubs I joined freshman year became security blankets, and then the places where I made my closest friends and found my passions, I’ll remember the Kennedy caucus’ mission to stay calm, classy and stylish despite any situation.