Clinton hails generation of ‘unlikely activists’ during Dublin visit

News of Hillary Clinton’s arrival into Trinity was met with opposing responses by its students. The presence of student union members, past and present, signalled approval. A protest was organised for the event by Students for Justice in Palestine and Trinity People Before Profit, who cited her support of US intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, her longstanding commitment to Israel, and her past backing of immigration detention camps as reasons for their presence on campus.

Although tickets were not publicly available for the event which took place on Friday, June 22nd, and the former former US Secretary of State’s talk was purported to be one discussing gender equality and democracy, the whole event was anchored around students.

From the outset Clinton’s address dealt with youth; both that of Irish and American activists. Drawing on the high youth turnout in the marriage equality and abortion referendums Clinton highlighted the ‘power of young people to shape the future’, heaping praise on the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Pointing out the effectiveness of the #hometovote campaign in both referendums, she claimed that ‘no demographic is better positioned’ to make change, acknowledging that social media and the spread of information has turned a whole generation into ‘unlikely activists’.

Lauding the teenagers in America protesting against gun violence and the NRA, Clinton praised the young people ‘signing up in droves as activists and leaders and representatives’. Hand-in-hand with this acclaim came a warning to those involved with grass-root campaigns that there was no time to get comfortable, there was work to be done and progress to be made, urging young activists not to lose hope when change didn’t come about as quickly as they would like, and to be ‘ready to lose fights that are worth waging’.

Clinton acknowledged that many young people feel indifferent towards politics, Brexit had low turnout rates, and neither Trump nor Brexit secured the majority of the youth. These results have pushed young people further into apathy; engendering young people to draw the ‘national conclusion’ that they are unable to make any difference. These ‘failings of democracy’, mean that it is students, Clinton claimed, who are most open to alternatives, given that they have ‘come of age in time of humanitarian crisis’, where democracy seems like a value not worth fighting for.

The front rows of the lecture hall were lined with student politicians both past and present, seemingly appropriate given Clinton’s understanding that ‘ a Trinity education is not simply about learning within the four walls of a classroom - it’s about contributing to society and the world’, with Trinity’s SU presidents having a long history of civic engagement, from Mary Robinson, to Ivana Bacik, and most recently with Lynn Ruane, Kieran McNulty and Kevin Keane.

Her final charge to Trinity students ‘and beyond’ was to dedicate themselves to the arduous work of building a strong foundation for the democratic process. She ultimately ended the address by quoting Trinity alumnus Samuel Beckett ; ‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”, and adding ‘Let’s get to work’, providing both a word of advice to the motivated and comfort to the disheartened.

The subsequent conversation with Mary Robinson digressed slightly from the earnest nature of the address, with Robinson asking Clinton about herself; memories from the White House, her resilience, and reminiscing on time in Northern Ireland.

But students were once again the focus of the brief question and answer session, with two of the three questions asked by and on behalf of students, with representatives from The Philosophical Society, and the Graduate Student’s Union, seeking advice on diversity, progress, and female leadership in an often male-dominated world.

Although the address included elements of discussion including Egypt, the immigration crisis, and her own relationship with Ireland, the core of Clinton’s address was rooted in the youth, consistently referring her points back to young people; and how it will be their energy, passion and enthusiasm that cures the world of its political ennui and threats to democracy.

Clinton’s ultimate tone was optimistic, assuring the audience that she was ‘filled with confidence at the youth’ to make the change that the world needs.