A Plea for Political Participation

By Maya Mackey

As Millennials and Gen Zs adjust and enter adulthood, they see a broken, stale political system. Our nation has only gotten more populated and complicated as the decades roll by. Immigration is at an all-time high and elected officials don’t seem to have a solid solution for how to make it work. Our communities are simultaneously converging and fighting to hold onto their last shred of individuality.

American elders who grew up in a different world are often our only elected politicians making decisions for a world they won’t go on to live in. To be frank, we’re tired. Tired of the status quo. Tired of fighting for our progressive and inclusive values to become actual policy.

But the blame isn’t all on our parents and grandparents. The younger generations must become more politically engaged.

A recent poll conducted by Hart Research shows that Gen Xs are far more conservative to moderate in their political ideologies while Millennials and Gen Zs are only growing more and more liberal.

This matters because ultimately, we all must work together to make this land one where we can peacefully cohabitate.  We can all gripe about Boomers and the Silent Generation but the reality is these generations put their vote where their mouth was. Parents of Millennials are likely to have protested wars and challenged their government time and time again.

I grew up watching my mother volunteer to work at the polls during election nights. My dad has previously served as a delegate for multiple candidates and parties. They weren’t afraid to act.

Gen X, Millennials and Gen Zs are all plagued with a deeply rooted (and justifiable) cynicism. We’ve been lied to time and time again. The world we were told we would inherit so long as we got a degree doesn’t exist. And yet, waiting for rescue is a futile feat. MLK is gone. Malcolm X is gone. There is no superheroes.  Revolution is on us. All of us.

Choosing not to vote might give you a false sense of empowerment but then you’re likely to complain about the candidates that do get elected; and is that really a better tactic?

People who don’t vote are rarely politically engaged in any other way. If you’re tired of old heads in power, then you need to become the change you seek or elect leaders who will. 

Consider:

• Voting (for more than just the president). Voter guides are available online if you’re not sure who to vote for or need more details on a ballot measure.
• Running or volunteering for your neighborhood council
• Joining or donating to justice organizations that back progressive leadership such as New Leaders Council
• Helping your friends and family register to vote

Taking care of your community even when politicians fail to.

• Hold your elected officials accountable. You can virtually attend city council and board of supervisor meetings and give public comments on what you want changed in your neighborhood.

Do something, anything but complain. Get off your cynical high horse and participate in creating the future you want to live in.