What High School is like in 2023

High School is the 4 year preparation for our introduction into adulthood, and as times change and technology advances, one would only be correct in assuming that these changes would translate into the behaviors and experiences of students today. Recent political decisions in Iowa have induced a lot of division and when there is such a large variety of identities, it can make it difficult to find spaces where you feel you belong. New laws and policies such as the new bill being put into action which essentially requires trans students to share their identities with their parents regardless of their consent are a big center of controversy. While teachers are explaining these new laws in our classrooms, all I can offer to those struggling with their identities is a look of solidarity and a comforting smile, when in reality I want to do and say so much more. Policies like this are interesting because in the new age of sexual identity and orientation, more students have become comfortable sharing their identities publicly than ever before, and just as we take a step forward and students begin being accepted in larger, more diverse spaces, is when Iowa lawmakers decide to take us two steps back. When the topic of such controversial ideas comes up in conversation, it only feels right to avoid the topic. When a group like trans teens is becoming marginalized in this way, steering away from such dialogue not only feels unproductive, but being a bystander to these changes feels as though I am agreeing to prejudice and discrimination. As we approach the end of our high school years, we need to make it a priority to become informed on the happenings of our government because that is the only way that we can ensure that the things we believe in are being represented in our government, locally and federally.