In the wake of everyday challenges and stressors, global political turmoil and the aftermath of a consequential (and controversial) election, I find myself adrift in an uncertainty that feels far larger than myself. It’s overwhelming to be pulled in countless directions — each demanding that you care, act or pick a side — all while trying to figure out your own place and purpose in the world. This disorientation forced me to ask myself some fundamental questions: How do I navigate this storm without losing myself in the process? How can I cope and find purpose when the world feels so overwhelming? And, perhaps most importantly, how do I confront the frustrating reality that so many people fail to recognize their power to change the world for the better?
I have three things to say: Have optimism, recognize your potential and take action. In the face of uncertainty and chaos, optimism is not ignorance. It is not about ignoring the challenges or pretending that everything is fine. It’s about believing in the possibility that there are better days ahead and focusing on the steps — however small — that we can take to create them. My message is meant not to push you toward an ignorant, blind faith but rather to encourage the development of a mindset that allows us to see potential in the rubble and opportunities in the struggle.
Stepping back from the noise, I’m reminded of the resilience that defines us. Communities have always faced challenges, yet they have found ways to both persevere through hardship and create meaningful change. During the pandemic, small acts of solidarity — neighbors helping the vulnerable and businesses distributing masks, for example — proved the power of collective action. This spirit thrives at Georgetown University, where Hoyas organize for justice, lobby for change and turn struggles into progress. And yet, this spirit cannot sustain itself without individuals willing to step forward, take risks and act.
This commitment to action is not new — it’s embedded in Georgetown’s history. In 2019, students undertook the monumental task of compiling a comprehensive database of names tied to enslaved individuals connected to the university, a group now collectively referred to as the GU272. This research fueled activism that resulted in a historic referendum demanding reparative justice for the descendants of those enslaved people. Even in the face of daunting challenges, the Georgetown community has consistently harnessed the power of collective action to foster positive change. This legacy reminds us that optimism is not just hope for change but a belief in our collective capacity to create it.
The GU272 initiative should not be simply a story of what has been accomplished but a rallying cry for what remains to be done. It is easy to look at such a historic act and feel distanced from it, as though the work of those students has absolved the rest of us of our responsibility, but optimism requires us to look at this movement as an ongoing opportunity to deepen our impact and push for greater justice.
So, I ask you: What small steps can you take today to move forward, even in the face of uncertainty? Start by taking the time to understand the GU272 story and then ask yourself what you can do to help carry its mission forward. Volunteer with organizations that tackle systemic injustice, attend events that amplify marginalized voices and use your platform to raise awareness about justice efforts. Also, consider the growing national conversation around reparations and racial equity. Now is the time to ensure the GU272 story remains a centerpiece in these discussions.
The movement for justice for the GU272 continues to grow, with descendants and advocates working to ensure that Georgetown’s acknowledgment of its past — beyond the new “Pathways to Social Justice” requirement — translates into meaningful actions. By continuing to consistently demand changes to the status quo — expansions to the current program or the renewal of efforts to locate descendants of enslaved peoples — we can be a potent force of change. Advocacy, rooted in history and backed by collective action, can bring systemic injustices into the public conscience. These examples remind us that optimism is not passive, but instead the engine for meaningful action.
The truth is that we all have the potential to make a difference. However, potential means nothing if we don’t act on it. Optimism is anything but passive. It is the courage to believe that justice is attainable, that progress is possible and that we have the power to make it happen. Even in the uncertainty of the current political climate, we can find opportunities to challenge the status quo. The GU272 movement teaches us that optimism thrives not in certainty but in the willingness to face uncertainty with purpose. It is most powerful when it is bold, deliberate and collective.
Nhan Phan is a first-year in the College of Arts & Sciences. This is the fifth installment of his column, “Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost.”