TheLiberalOC welcomes guest editorials; we’re featuring this one from Amani Wells-Onyioha of Sole Strategies, a political consulting firm.
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Today’s youth are extremely politically aware. So many activated teenagers and college-level kids care deeply about the issues we’re facing. I’m excited to see what will come from this generation.
Teens are more politically aware than ever before
We’re in an age of technology. An abundance of information is at our fingertips. Today’s teens don’t have to be taught about political issues in a class or by their parents. They are finding information on social media, Google, YouTube, the Associated Press, CNN, and a variety of independent news channels.
The connectivity we have to one another is so great that even those young people who grew up being taught only one way in isolated areas can find information that will open their eyes. They can see things for themselves and do their own research.
Teens are educating themselves politically and finding the truth
When I think about the most critical issues for teens to investigate, I come back to the fundamental importance of knowing our story. On the one hand, you have people who are activated politically and interested in doing their research. On the other hand, you have conservative and Republican authority figures making it difficult for people to find out the truth about our country.
Yes, America is great, but we do have a dark past. Schools are removing access to this information, but kids need to be educated about our country’s history. They need to know what happened—the good, the bad, the ugly, and the in-between. That’s the only way to prevent slipping back into those behaviors.
As we move forward, knowing the truth will help us be kinder to one another. It will help us be more forward-thinking and progressive. It will help us see this country grow and evolve in a positive way for everyone. We need to know what happened in our history so that we can learn from it.
Teens are finding practical ways to get involved in issues that matter to them
When young people are ready to reach out, they can use Google to discover the activism that is going on all around them. Once they settle on the issues they want to support, a quick internet search will help them find interest groups and projects where they can volunteer. It’s never too early for young people to get activated and support causes that resonate with them.
Teens who are passionate about climate change may attend a beach cleanup. Young people who care about renewable energy may volunteer with groups investigating clean energy. They can find events in their communities that align with their interests, volunteer their support, and educate others.
For example, when I was growing up in Dallas, I was passionate about getting money out of politics because many of our politicians are corrupted by corporate donors. I googled corruption battles to find other people who cared about this issue. In no time, I was part of an interest group and active in my community.
Teens are becoming involved in elections even before they can vote
Teens can become involved in politics in so many practical ways. Even before they’re old enough to vote, they can join their local teen Democratic Association.
When teens and college students want to educate themselves about the elections around them, Twitter is the best place to go. They can tap into candidates they’re curious about, follow them on social media, and see what issues they’re discussing. Additionally, Southern California teens can visit the Secretary of State’s website to find youth programs and even pre-register to vote.
Just because young people can’t vote doesn’t mean they can’t spread awareness about current elections. They can encourage their families to vote and educate them about why they should promote a particular politician. They can write a blog post, drive somebody to the polls, or organize a group to promote the candidates they support.
My freshman year was the first time I ever saw somebody like me, a black person, running for president. That election opened a world of political possibilities for me.
That year, I wrote for my high school newspaper and spread the word about Obama’s election. It was my way of getting involved and tapping into the political sphere.
This generation of young people is doing their own research and combating misinformation. They’re advocating for groups who need support, standing in the gap, and helping those voices be heard. Teens are getting involved in so many ways — big and small. Most importantly, they are staying activated, staying educated, and knowing the truth.
Amani Wells-Onyioha is the operations director for political campaigning organization Sole Strategies. She’s dedicated to helping working-class and progressive candidates make it to the ballot to bring true change to America’s political system. She’s been featured in Thrive Global, Fox Soul, and more.