So far the internship has been a blur and pretty fast paced. Khadijah and I have been trying to find contacts, get organized, get numbers, set up events, all while preparing for speaking events and one-on-one meetings. Because our office is not equipped with internet service, making these conn
Around lunch time on Wednesday we met with James Burroughs in our first one-on-one meeting. He is the president and executive director of Democracy at Home – an organization based in Greensboro. It was refreshing to see another young face being so politically and civically active. He was able to give us some helpful advice pertaining to event coordinating and public or community gatherings and forums. However, the more exciting and fulfilling event was with a local recreation center in Winston.
At the rec center we spoke to about 15 kids, all ranging from age six to sixteen. We spoke about the importance of voting and ways that they can become engaged, even at such a young age. All of the kids were well educated and versed on certain political aspects, as far as the presidency, and it was refreshing to see so many kids knowledgeable. It was interesting to hear, though, that the kids felt young people still would not get involved in politics even if they were knowledgeable, and political information was given to them. Also, the kids felt that the current political arena really lacks role models that young people can look up to – inherently decreasing their likelihood to be interested.
Khadijah and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the kids and hearing what they had to say. The meeting with James Burroughs was also a great learning experience because we actually were able to learn and speak with someone who has experience with what we will be doing a lot this summer. Even if people don’t want to believe it, the youth and young citizens are our future and they must have a voice in every aspect of society. The sooner young people realize they are important the better citizens and the more involved they will be later in life. If these past few days are any implication of what the summer will be like, the Winston-Salem team is ready!
Kayla and Khadijah
Winson-Salem Team
Good job!!!! Did you guys make a twitter yet???
I wonder if the youths understand that the current administration is not interested in fixing Medicare but will instead place the burden on them to pay for it. In it’s current state, funding for Medicare cannot be sustained.
So glad to hear you’ve been speaking to kids in the W-S area already! People like me are about one hundred years too old for them to listen to, but they really look up to adults your age.
Have you looked into whether W-S and/or Greensboro has a Kids Voting chapter? they are a wonderful statewide group with local chapters and they may welcome your help this summer. Sometimes they partner with the local parks & rec departments in their areas to conduct programs during summer camp time. Kids Voting North Carolina may be able to help you find who to get in touch with.
Great job!! Don’t respond to Mr. Burns… he obviously doesn’t have anything better to do than harass students. Classy.
Cheers,
Adam
Yeah sure, stay inside your box, keep your head in the sand and pretend everything will be ok.
To be honest, I was surprised how positive the students were and how much they trusted in the adults to make the right decisions for them – until they could vote. Their knowledge and the willingness to be involved was inspirational!
Great job W-S! I think young people (am I old enough to even say that??) really respond to having other young people talk to them. The message just sinks in a little better. I hope you pre-registered those 16 year olds before that law gets repealed!