STUDENT ACTIVISM & GUN CONTROL

This Post is Currently in DraftDraft

2 min

This Saturday, March 24, thousands of students are expected in Washington, DC to participate in the March For Our Lives rally for gun control measures. Since the Feb. 14 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 dead, a generation of activists has been galvanized and a national movement born. Using the hashtag #NeverAgain and funded with donations from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Amal and George Clooney, the Stoneman Douglas students are speaking out against the National Rifle Association and the politicians who support the NRA – and students across the nation have joined their efforts. But is the #NeverAgain campaign sustainable? Can student activism advance an agenda that adults have been unable to achieve, and what does this newfound agency of American young people around a cause mean for the national political landscape? Hofstra has experts who can help you put this movement into political, social and economic context:

Aashish Kumar, co-director of Hofstra’s Center for Civic Engagement, can discuss how students’ newfound activism is crucial to the active citizenship that is at the heart of any thriving democracy.

Tomeka Robinson, associate professor of rhetoric and director of Hofstra’s speech and debate team, can address the role of rhetoric and public advocacy in swaying public opinion and shaping policy.

Alan Singer, professor in the School of Education and expert on social issues in public education, can discuss the measures proposed to improve school safety, including the president’s suggestion to arm school teachers. Professor Singer was also a high school teacher for 15 years.

Source:

Connect with:

Aashish Kumar

Professor of Radio, Television, Film

Prof. Kumar is a social action scholar and a documentary filmmaker.

Filmmakingdemocratic discourseCivic Engagementgrassroots advocacy

Tomeka Robinson

Senior Associate Dean, Professor of Writing Studies and Rhetoric

Dr. Robinson is an expert on effective public debate as well as health communication. She directs Hofstra's award-winning forensics team.

Public/Social AdvocacyRhetoricHealth CommunicationsArgumentation and DebateIntercultural Communication

Alan J. Singer

Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology

Alan Singer specializes in social studies education and United States history.

Social Studies EducationUnited States HistoryHistory of SlaveryTeaching race. ethnicity and class

Find Experts

Apr 16, 2026

1 min

“With Global Antisemitism Rising, ‘Never Again’ Rings Hollow”

Hofstra Professor of Political Science and Director of the European Studies Program Carolyn Dudek wrote a guest essay for Newsday: “With global antisemitism rising, ‘Never Again’ rings hollow.” Dr. Dudek was awarded the 2024 Jean Monnet Chair to expand research, teaching, and course development on the European Union, with a specific focus on EU anti-discrimination policies that address marginalized groups, such as Jews, Muslims, Roma, women, communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

Apr 14, 2026

1 min

The Political Ripple of Iran at Home

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, provided analysis to Newsday on how national political dynamic are shaping the electoral landscape on Long Island ahead of the midterms. In coverage of the ongoing U.S. military operation in Iran, Levy highlighted the political ripple effects of the conflict at home. While the war itself has prompted debate over national security and economic consequences such as rising gas prices, Levy emphasized its electoral implications, noting that voter perceptions of President Trump’s performance are likely to be the dominant factor in upcoming congressional and state races. He pointed out that even though the president will not be on the ballot, his influence will loom large, particularly among swing voters and segments of the Republican base.

Apr 9, 2026

1 min

The Impacts of Stronger El Niño Conditions on LI

Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra University associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability and director of meteorology, spoke to Newsday to explain how strong El Niño weather conditions could impact the region. “It often leads to the earth’s atmosphere warming,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “It could be expected that this year could be the warmest on record, if El Niño pans out.” He added that El Niño also “plants the seeds for more coastal storms in the late fall and winter.”