“Democracy as a Verb” : a Reflection by Gavin Walker-Mason

This protestor, this shirt, this program, and this summer has - again - changed my life, and I am committed to continuing to build this career of mine into politics, to continue uplifting the generation behind me, and to invoke democracy because our country, this state of the world, and our future as a society depends on it; we cannot afford complacency.

By Gavin Walker-Mason

September 3, 2025

This summer, I had the immeasurable privilege to pursue two internships in the United States Senate, with the office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, from my home state of New Mexico, and for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources under ranking member, Senator Martin Heinrich. These opportunities were absolutely life-changing.

In only my first two weeks on Capitol Hill, the city of Los Angeles made national headlines as National Guard troops were deployed to combat peaceful protests against the disappearance and abductions of community members, family members, and hardworking immigrants. This event, and watching the responses of policymakers in real time - on the senate floor and via legislative response - sparked my realization of the tense, critical time it is for our country. Working for New Mexican senators, representing one of the most diverse states in America, posed challenges as thousands of constituents raised concerns about how the administration is handling these issues, and the threats they pose to our people back home. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from this summer was just that: new perspective on the linear connection between real people’s livelihoods and the policy decisions that happen in one small, yet powerful, city thousands of miles away.

These attacks on democracy would continue throughout my internships – from the arrest and indictment of Newark’s very own elected officials (Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver, respectively), to the continued genocide and humanitarian crisis in Palestine, to the passing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” with the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in American history; the list goes on and on.

But it was in this feeling of defeat and hopelessness, sitting in the senate gallery with tears in my eyes watching elected officials continue to disappoint me and threaten my communities, where I saw a protestor’s bright yellow t-shirt that read, “Democracy as a verb.”

This simple phrase reframed the concept of democracy for me – from an experience to an action. From something that is done to a people, to instead about response – how a people reacts to injustice. It changed the narrative from a feeling of hopelessness to marking the beginning of my fight in public service.

This framework is exactly the framework that the Rutgers Democracy Lab has invested in. Most simply, a lab is a space for growth – a place to explore, to learn, and to create. The Democracy Lab gave me this opportunity this summer in the United States Senate, one that I will never forget, one that changed my life, and one that I plan to repay through my future career in public service. The Democracy Lab creates opportunities so people can lead with informed and fierce, passion-driven response to injustice – for young people to realize their potential, their voice, and implement democracy themselves.

This protestor, this shirt, this program, and this summer has - again - changed my life, and I am committed to continuing to build this career of mine into politics, to continue uplifting the generation behind me, and to invoke democracy because our country, this state of the world, and our future as a society depends on it; we cannot afford complacency.