The Murder of Hope: a call to action
Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 11:23:17 AM PDT
Many years ago when Ann Frank's diary was found and published many around the world marveled at one particular comment
"Despite everything, I still believe that people are good at heart."
Because it perfectly captured the idealism of youth. That no matter what you do to children they remain resilient in their hope and idealism.
But a new poll issued by the Harvard Institute of Politics captures the trend in the youth movement in America and how they view civil service vs. public service. This kind of hope and idealism is too often passed off as "childish" and laughed at by the 40+ crowd who had their preverbal puppies killed by years in the hard world of reality.
But in the last several years we've now begun to see that even American youth is trending toward this same world. Hope, possibility, and idealism usually reserved for the passion of the youth has been murdered by this same world of cold hard reality that says that dreams are foolish - and I am here to declare no more.
What you see when going through the survey is that most young Americans follow the progressive traditions. They are concerned about Iraq, about health care, about education.... about their future. They don't trend toward Republicans but in reality they don't expect the Democratic Party to better help with problems that face us. While they believe Bush is bad and they prefer change in Congress to the Democratic Party a majority of them remain Independent. They know that politics influences their lives - but they don't get involved and they don't participate in the process outside of voting.
The most notable statistic I see is that 71% of them believe that political engagement is an effective way of solving important issues. But still only 14% of them have ever volunteered on a political campaign. At the same time though 47% of them are likely to volunteer for a political campaign if a friend were to ask them.
What exactly does this mean about the youth of America?
My former state Rep in Kansas teaches at the University of Kansas and does a lecture where she asks her students why youth don't vote and don't participate in the political process. 18-30 age block makes up 1/3 of the country yet only 15% showed up to vote. The age old excuse is that they just don't care.
This poll puts that myth to bed quite effectively. Another point of view I've heard from an organizer who said that the youth vote becomes so involved with civic and service groups that they feel they can do more good to help their country by performing community service or being involved in particular causes than in casting a ballot on election day.
What I propose is something you hear only grumblings about but I believe truly captures the reality of both the youth vote and even traditional progressives and old time activists in America.
Hope is dead.
I grew up in the era of Bill Clinton's hope for America. In a world where we could all strive for the American Dream and accomplish anything. We were encouraged to set our sights high and dream big. College wasn't out of the grasp for anyone - and better colleges were within the grasp of anyone who worked hard enough. The Clinton Era was one of possibility and promise.
When President Clinton stood before America in January of 1993 he called for a new generation of service from my generation:
"To that work I now turn, with all the authority of my office. I ask the Congress to join with me. But no president, no Congress, no government, can undertake this mission alone. My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal. I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service; to act on your idealism by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities. There is so much to be done; enough indeed for millions of others who are still young in spirit to give of themselves in service, too.
"In serving, we recognize a simple but powerful truth, we need each other. And we must care for one another. Today, we do more than celebrate America; we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America. "
Why? Because Clinton came from the same era.
Under President Kennedy Clinton received the same calling to service that many of us did then and during the 90's. One that told us that we are responsible for our democracy. That we must fight to uphold her beauty and promise. The Clinton White House was filled with young idealistic just out of college or near graduating 20-somethings that had the sparkle of idealism and hope in their eyes. They fought each day behind their leader to make America the strongest it has ever been.
But what we also saw in the 90's was the strive for the slow and deliberate murder of hope by the new movement of right wing zealots that we have seen take over America.
Where is this promise today?
Today, our party has fallen asunder to the same idealism squelching suits that only seek to win elections, obtain power, and gain attention. But we have Howard. We have Boyda and dozens of idealistic politicians on the ballot in this election who might just revive our hope.
America's youth isn't stupid - they're not clueless - they see this, and they turn the other way, seeking to help organizations that are filled with positivism, fun, morale, and promise. Why volunteer, why intern, and why go into a business that is filled with nothing but old boring people who have no sense of hope when instead you can hear about love and faith at church or striving for cures with the American Cancer Society or making the lives of small creatures better working for the humane society?
Nearly half of those asked said they would be a part of a political campaign if asked. The problem - no one asks. No politician courts the youth of America. Because... after all.... they don't vote.... they don't care, right? And as such the vicious cycle of inactive political service has continued to disenfranchise American youth as they plug along being taken for granted and sold down the river with the budget crisis, Iraq, and the death of hope in America.
Today I call on each of us to make a pledge that in the coming months following the election we lobby our newly elected leaders to bring the hope back. Bring back the youthful idealism that creates the passion and possibility seen by John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton's eras. Stop ignoring the next generation and engage.
I'm reminded of one of my favorite exchanges:
"Donna, this is a campaign for the Presidency, and there's nothing I take more seriously than that. This can't be a place where people come to find their confidence and start
over.
--Why not? Why can't it be those things? What, is it going to interfere with my typing?"
If you bring the hope back - if you bring the pride back - if you create possibility in a century begun with anxiety and fear - we can ban together as a team to create an America for all people that teaches and helps us grow and learn.
We are truly at a crossroads in this country where we can continue to get the work done and advocate policy that is good and true - but candidates who dare to preach a message of hope are laughed out of the room - or we can take it a step further and create a movement. We can strive for a world filled with endless possibilities for every idealistic redneck from right here in my house and beyond.
I believe in people. I believe in America and her liberty. I believe in possibility. I believe that between the couch cushions hope is still hidden there and alive, ready to shine a blessed light upon our future. I believe that our best years are ahead of us and that if we join as a team we can achieve things we've not yet seen. But I am now not only being laughed at by the 40+ crowd... but by my peers, and I won't stand for it. Not in my country.
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