YOUTH VOICES
Hey, Gen Z: Our Democracy Needs Us!
issue; it’s also a social justice issue disproportionately affecting mar - ginalized communities. We see how economic inequality is linked to systemic racism, and how the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is tied to the broader struggle for human rights. This holistic view of the world drives our political engagement and motivates us to vote for leaders who will approach these issues with the care and empathy they de- serve Wei Zhou, National Spokesperson for the Sunrise Movement, echoes this sentiment: “As a climate organization, climate action is definitely a top priority to Sunrise. As a young person with family in areas where climate disasters are prevalent, I need a president who will take bold steps to enact climate justice in our country. But we also know that climate is inherently intersectional— that racial justice, eco- nomic justice, labor, and more all matter deeply to achieving climate justice. Zhou highlights how Gen Z’s interconnected approach to these issues shapes their political engagement: “I think in the past we’ve seen a lot of individual political engagement from older generations, like voting, for example. But Gen Z is politically engaged in a way that builds across communities. We’re having conversations with our neighbors, classmates, and coworkers. We’re making change together, not alone.”
BY CIARA O’BRIEN
Members of Gen Z, myself included, are often labeled as the “change generation.” Generally defined as people born from 1997 to 2012, and also known as “Zoomers”, we’ve been called the most diverse, edu - cated, and digitally savvy generation to date. But what truly sets us apart is our ability to see the bigger picture. We understand that issues are deeply interconnected, and we approach them with empathy, care, and a desire for justice. Whether it’s climate change, job security, or human rights, we know these challenges don’t exist in isolation — and that’s why our vote is so crucial, especially now. Our Rising Political Influence In the 2020 presidential election, 50% of eligible young people aged 18-29 voted — a remarkable 11-point increase from 2016. This isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to our growing influence and com - mitment to shaping the future. We’ve also made history by voting at a higher rate in the 2022 midterms than any previous generation in their first midterm election. That’s right — more than Millennials, Gen X, and likely even Boomers did in their generations’ first midterm election. This trend of historic political engagement is a clear signal Gen Z is ready to step up and take control of our destiny. As Charlie Olmsted, a politically engaged 24-year-old who has been voting since he turned 18, points out, ‘Gen Z will be key. Gen Z is a huge constituency that’s not going away, so the issues that Gen Z cares about will pop up more this election than the last time.’ Charlie, like many in his generation, is deeply invested in the political process and represents the growing voice of young voters who are increasingly shaping the direction of our country. With Donald Trump running again in 2024, our democracy feels like it’s on the line. The stakes couldn’t be higher. From the rollback of reproductive rights to threats against LGBTQIA+ communities, we’ve seen firsthand how policies can affect our lives. We care deeply about these issues, and we understand our vote is our voice. It’s how we stand up for what we believe in and ensure our leaders reflect our values. “I am optimistic about the future despite my concerns,” Olmsted shares. “Once Biden dropped out of the race and Kamala Harris be - came the nominee, the dynamic changed and things were re-ener- gized.” A Threat to Democracy Former President Trump’s political tenure has raised serious con - cerns about the erosion of democratic norms. His well-documented actions — repeated attacks on the media, refusal to accept election re- sults, and attempts to undermine the integrity of our electoral process, to name a few — threaten the foundations of our democracy. Voting is our way of standing up for these democratic principles and ensuring our government remains accountable to the people. Olmsted emphasizes, “I’m also paying attention to democracy it - self. When Trump was in office last time, he did seem to encourage the January 6th riots where the goal was to stop Congress from certifying the results of the election he lost. If there’s more divisive and chaotic rhetoric along those lines, I think that would motivate me much more to vote.” Intersectionality: Our Generation’s Superpower One of the things that makes Gen Z unique is our understanding of intersectionality — the idea that various forms of discrimination are interconnected. We know climate change isn’t just an environmental
Source: Harvard Griffin GSAS News, licensed by Creative Commons (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
Our Priorities: Jobs, Climate Change and Human Rights We care about jobs, but not just any jobs — we want meaningful work that pays a living wage and contributes to a sustainable future. Climate change is another top priority for us, as we’re the generation that will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. And when it comes to human rights, we’re not willing to compromise. Reproduc - tive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and racial justice are non-negotiable. We expect our leaders to protect and expand these rights, not roll them back. “I’m paying attention to climate and environmental issues,” Olm - sted notes. “When Trump was president last time, he pulled out of the Paris Accords and was generally unsympathetic to climate and envi- ronmental justice issues.” Zhou adds, “We are the generation that’s going to have to deal with a lot of the consequences of the next president — whatever the next
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PATHWAYS—Fall 24—15
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