Xavierites become founding fathers at Constitution Day

November 4, 2024

By Leah Clark, Past Editor-in-Chief/Politics Editor

Xavier students stepped into the shoes of the nation’s founding fathers and for Constitution Day, revisited the significance of the nation’s founding documents, while reconciling the exclusions of their ancestors at the birth of this nation. 

Xavier’s political science department partnered with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to educate students on the Constitution’s importance, its evolution and relevance to America’s democracy. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell joined city councilwoman Lesli Harris (District B), and professor and author Dr. Sherice Janaye Nelson on Sept. 17 in the University Center ballroom.  

“I would say that’s where [students] come in now more than ever because while we have seen tremendous progress in terms of inclusion, equity, human rights, we still have a long way to go,” Cantrell said. “Especially being Black in this country, we see front and center how laws play out sometimes differently when they impact or involve us.” 

Celebrating Constitution Day has become an annual event on Xavier’s campus. This year’s event was coordinated by Dr. Daniella Mascarenhas, an assistant professor of political science. Initially, students celebrated the day by attending a panel discussion about the Constitution and receiving their own copies. 

“The idea for Constitution Day stemmed from a desire to create a space where students could engage critically with the foundational principles of our democracy in a way that felt relevant to their lives today,” Mascarenhas said.  

Since then, Constitution Day celebrations have grown on Xavier’s campus. This year’s event was a simulated Constitutional Convention. Students took on the roles of delegates debating different aspects of the Constitution. They were tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the Constitution in today’s society. 

Mascarenhas said her students have expressed frustrations with the current political process, sometimes referring to it as outdated.  

“As both an educator and someone passionate about civic engagement, I’ve seen how discussions around the Constitution can sometimes feel abstract or disconnected from modern issues, especially for young people,” Mascarenhas said.  

Gen Z’s discontent with the current political process has been the topic of national discussion regarding the upcoming presidential election.  

In 2023, Tufts University reported 8.3 million youth will be newly eligible to vote in November. Both Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaigns efforts to court Gen Z voters has been more noticeable in their last stretch. However, their appeals have not been easy as Gen Z voters have found platform issues they agree with in both the Republican and Democratic candidates. 

For Abia Walker, a senior political science major from Jackson, Miss., Constitution Day proved to be a valuable experience ahead of the election. 

“Being able to hear from guest speakers and fellow students on how they feel that the Constitution affects us was very relevant as the election is approaching,” Walker said. “It made me reflect on the decisions that government officials have made, and how I would like to see some of those decisions changed in the near future.” 

Mascarenhas said she hopes students will continue to participate in civic engagement events like Constitution Day for their own benefit as voters. 

“This election season, when so many important constitutional questions are at play – about free speech, voting rights, or even how elections themselves are conducted – having a solid grasp of the Constitution helps students to be not just participants, but informed and thoughtful voters.”