Words by Maya Olson PZ ’25 and Spencer Wu-Chin PZ ’28

Graphic by Thea Riley PZ ’28, Ash Dirks SC ’28, Ginny O’Marah PZ ’28, Willa Umansky PZ ’27

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we thought about methods of resistance, and how to both build support and find joy in such times — the answer we kept coming to, in Guevarian fashion: love.  

So, we asked students from the 5Cs, “how do you feel about love in the time of Trump? (or under the second Trump administration?)”

One person who I asked told me he didn’t actually attend the 5Cs, but walked away with a shout, “Legalize my dad though!” likely in response to the ongoing ICE raids in Southern California. 

RESPONSES:

“Love is the only reason to do anything.” — PZ ‘26

“I think it’s scary, especially as a [Queer] Black woman. I’m just worried for a lot of the people around me and how Trump’s new administration might affect [those communities]. Everything I’ve been seeing on social media is a lot — there are people who are scared for their lives. It’s also a time to really lean into love, time to reach out to community and form those bonds, especially when we might not be able to.” — PZ ‘26

“Personally, I try not to associate politics with my personal life. Trump’s presidency doesn’t really impact the way I see others or the way I love others, but in the back of my mind, I’m worried about the general economy and how things are gonna look in the future with them pulling out of so many important institutions, such as the W.H.O. or just like the Paris Climate Accords, just like, very worrying for the future of the country, but in terms of, just like Valentine’s Day and just like love in general, I don’t see myself just changing anything.” — PZ ‘28

“I feel like right now, it is a good time to love even harder, love more the people that are close to you during times like these. That’s what I’ve learned.” — PZ Employee

“The way I see the question is through my activism, in the context of Trump, but it’s really hard to have that love because there are so many people that won’t listen or care about why we’re organizing in the first place. I don’t have an answer [to this problem], but what I’ve been learning is to be more empathetic and learn why people are voting for Trump, especially the people I’m trying to help. It doesn’t mean it’s right but by understanding it helps me help them.” — PZ ‘25

“I think that love is something that I didn’t feel very sure of before the [Trump] administration and I wouldn’t say that it increased after. But it’s funny; I think I have actually grown some feelings of love, but I think it’s very challenging. Definitely, I feel a sense of resilience that comes with it, given so many implications [from what’s been happening] recently, and I think that’s something I’ve had to intentionally try and cultivate within my community and [inspired me] to actively seek it out in my life after seeing the ways that its been.” — PZ ‘27

“Obviously it’s an uncertain time right now and that can be hard on a lot of people, especially for [people like] my girlfriend who is mixed race, including races Trump would deport, so that can obviously be scary and trying on relationships I’d say … I’ve read the articles and everything on the decline of Gen Z relationships [and] sex and I think that is continuing under this new administration. I don’t know if the administration has affected those rights and how I see changing dynamics of love, but I think there’s also room for optimism as well. I’ve also probably read too many articles [about] young people going out more, joining running clubs and whatever, trying to still go out and find love and joy. I think if you stop trying to find that, if you sort of tuck yourself away from everything, whether it be from the administration or otherwise, whether it be from uncertainty or fear, that’s how they win. That’s how totalitarianism wins, when it breaks down the social fabric between us.” — CMC ‘27

“The only thing we can focus on right now is community love. With everything changing, all we have is solidarity and community, which needs us to focus all our energy into. It takes a lot of passion and love to do that, especially as things get worse. One of the few things that is really empowering is that community love, giving and receiving it.” — PZ ‘25

“I feel generally nervous for our country.”

“Yeah.”

“But optimistic about the ways we can all come together despite tough times”

“Especially here, I think there’s a lot of opportunity for community within everything that’s going on.” — Two PZ ‘28, holding hands

“There’s a lot of love in the friendships. I feel a great disconnect from men, even more profound than it once was… everyone kind of talks about interdependence and how it’s so necessary, and how to not have that is a master’s tool [referencing Audre Lorde, “Master’s Tools Will Never Take Down the Master’s House”], Our world has become so scary and individualized and I think interdependence is one of the scariest but most necessary things that you can try to strive for and attain. But I’m also terrified of it!” — PZ ‘25

“Universal human concepts such as love are what’s going to be the things that keep us going. Our universal love for our fellow human beings will be felt in the organizing we do for the next couple years. Despite the fact that it feels like a very hopeless time, love is what allows me to feel hopeful.” — PZ ‘25