By John Q. Hosedrinker 
When immigration enforcement agents arrived at a Minneapolis high school on January 7th, student Lila Dominguez, witnessed the events unfold and immediately began writing about it. The presence of ICE agents and the surrounding chaos prompted the school district to cancel classes and offer remote learning options, impacting student attendance. In response to the growing fear and anxiety, schools are implementing protocols and offering support, but the overall effect is that the situation has disrupted the learning environment in the city. Many students, like Dominguez, are left feeling scared, sad, and angered by the situation.
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‘My hands were really shaky’: high-school journalist documents ICE raids. This wasn’t supposed to be the kind of story a high school student would cover. Yet, here we are. It’s a stark contrast to a time when figures like Mr. Rogers were seemingly bridging divides, not simply because they were fictional, but because of the message they were trying to send. Now, young people are growing up in a world where law enforcement actions, particularly those of groups like ICE, can feel more like acts of intimidation than public service.
Who are the heroes and villains in this new world? This reality can be the genesis of a generation’s understanding of authority. How will a child, witnessing their parent being taken away, later view the institutions that enacted such separation? It’s a question that cuts deep, a seed planted in fertile ground that may blossom into a strong, anti-authoritarian stance. The young journalist documenting these events is gaining valuable experience, contemplating their future in a way that goes beyond the classroom. The very act of speaking truth to power is the most essential thing for the young.
The relationship between communities and law enforcement is often already strained. This experience will likely cement those feelings. It’s a painful reality that trust is eroding. Even after these operations cease, the memories of their impact will linger. It is easy to look back with rose-colored glasses, but the truth is, these issues have been with us for a while.
It’s easy to look back and see the good times, but even in those days, racism was a real issue. The events we are witnessing now are only solidifying a generation’s view of law enforcement as something other than protectors. It’s disheartening. The current political climate and the narratives being pushed are radicalizing people. There’s a genuine fear that things will not improve, that we’re locked into a trajectory where empathy and sympathy are scarce commodities.
The hope lies in the next generation. People are worried about what is going on. It’s essential for people to see what the government is doing. The experience of this young journalist, facing such a reality, should be met with empathy, not derision. The reactions to the story reflect a disturbing lack of understanding and compassion. When you see government agents showing up at school it is a big deal.
Even if ICE’s actions ceased immediately, the damage has already been done. The recruitment of many who are not qualified will be a lasting consequence. The militarization of police and the culture of toxic masculinity within law enforcement will likely worsen, a trend that may not be easily reversed. The idea of relying on 911 is seen as a joke. The police are not there to help.
The media often portrays law enforcement as heroes. That’s a form of propaganda. The creation of such shows was often motivated by a desire to paint law enforcement in a positive light, even if it meant glossing over the more challenging aspects of their work. The reality on the ground is far more complex.
Some people may not care about empathy. Their views are likely already cemented. Those individuals, sadly, have a voice in the world, and they, too, have voting rights. It’s a struggle for a better future, but for many, it’s what they are focused on.