By Izaak Hayes, 17, Y-Press
Zach Ammerman, 18
Lebanon, IN
Zach Ammerman has always enjoyed politics. Now, after working on Hilary Clinton’s campaign, he hopes to make a career out of it.
Although Clinton has stepped down from the presidential race, Zach’s enthusiasm for her and her causes hasn’t dwindled. “I think she’s awesome. I met her twice, and I was really inspired by her,” he said.
Zach spent numerous hours canvassing neighborhoods and making phone calls to recruit voters for Clinton. He maintained his positive demeanor in the face of adversity. “I [was] going door-to-door and people were saying, ‘You don’t want to talk to me’ because they are so Republican,” he said. Still, he managed to smile and reply, “OK, have a good day!”
Though he is disappointed that Clinton won’t be the next president, Zach will continue his involvement in the Democratic cause by supporting Barack Obama. He plans to campaign for Obama in Bloomington when he moves there to attend Indiana University in the fall. “I’m going to school for political science … I want to devote my life to politics, basically any time there’s an election,” he said.
What advice would you give to other young people about getting involved in politics?
The thing is, a lot of people our age are apathetic about politics. People think that politics is just about people in Washington, and it doesn’t really affect them this far away. But literally everything is affected by politics. If you really think about it, either indirectly or directly, everything, from my computer to a library, is affected by it.
This is the first year that the leading Democratic candidates have had a large body of young people involved. Why do you think this is?
Well, most of them went to Barack Obama’s campaign. A lot of them were inspired by his message…he sort of seems like an outsider, and a lot of young people I think feel like they’re outsiders, so they were more attracted to his campaign. And he’s pretty young, [and] he’s almost revolutionary in some of his ideas and the way he speaks.
Who do you predict will win the presidential election?
I think Obama has the momentum with him. But I think the media sort of overplay his chances of winning. I’m not really sure, honestly; I think he’ll probably win, but it will be closer than people think.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’d love to go into politics, but I don’t know that I have the skills to do that, and it’s sort of a risk to go into that. I’m thinking of being a campaign manager. I’ve sort of helped one of the guys who ran for mayor in Lebanon manage his campaign, Roger Neal. I gave him some advice. I’d love to do that, I think.
By Paul Winston, 16, Y-Press
Taylor Bundy, 17
Lancaster, PA
Taylor Bundy is one of the many young supporters of Barack Obama. She credits her politically active mom for inspiring her to become involved. They both signed up for the Obama campaign in March when the primaries became increasingly intense.
Taylor has gone door-to-door canvassing and has worked in Lancaster’s Democratic Party headquarters putting together fliers and information. She also wrote an article for the Lancaster newspaper’s teen section about politically active teens at a town hall meeting for Obama at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in her home town.
While the article was intended to illuminate how teens become interested in politics, it was informative for Taylor, too. “I got to speak with teens who both supported and did not support Obama and better understand others’ political motivation,” she said.
According to Rock the Vote, this is the first year that the leading Democratic candidates all have a youth director and youth voter outreach programs. What do you think has changed to allow young people to feel a part of the process?
Politics aren’t just for adults anymore. Concerns have risen that directly affect teens: The war, the environment, the economy and global tensions are all significant issues in which teens, especially working teens who pay taxes, want to have a voice.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what would it be?
It’s so hard for me to pick just one, but I think I would pass legislation regarding the war in Iraq. Granted, I am not a politician or military official, so the logistics would be hard to work out, but the piece would be something to effect bringing American troops home and making peace with the Iraqis. I think instilling “democracy” through destruction is just inefficient and unethical. I really believe that a peaceful resolution is needed to benefit both the U.S. and Iraq.
Do you see yourself politically involved in the 2012 election?
Yes, I do, if I am as passionate about my candidate of choice as I am now. In a way, I can see that future election as even more energetic, because, assuming Obama will win, America will have the chance to see what good can come of open-mindedness toward new policy, both on the part of the candidate and the voters.
What advice would you give to other youth who want to get politically involved?
Consider the candidate before the party. Volunteer for the candidate you trust in and agree with most, even if they are from an “opposing” party. Above all, consider your own beliefs, not your past voting record. If Obama were a Republican, I’d still vote for him.
What do you consider your biggest mistake?
Not getting involved sooner!
By Jordan Gaither, 17, Y-Press
Jose Juan Cruz, 15
Denver, CO
Are you tired of being that kid who’s always left on the outside of any conversation or group activity?
Jose Juan Cruz was before he joined YouthBiz in Denver. The organization was founded in Denver’s Five-Points neighborhood by an adult activist and eight teens in 1992. YouthBiz has many programs to offer, including classes that teach teens how to run their own businesses.
Initially shy and quiet, Jose Juan is now a youth leader and teaches others about computers and their applications. His new self-confidence also compelled him to join the Mayor’s Youth Commission, where youth take on various leadership roles in the community. For example, youth commissioners helped interview candidates for the school board last year.
How would you describe your work with YouthBiz?
I would describe my work with YouthBiz as a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Before YouthBiz I was the quiet kid in the corner and everyone wondered, “Who is that?” “Why don’t they participate?” Now I’m a lot more outspoken. I actually talk more. I want to be known. YouthBiz gave me those leadership skills and also the people skills as well. I can get in front of a crowd.
What do you see as the most important issue of 2008?
I think it would be youth and jobs. I have recently heard the statistics that there’s over 800 youth in Denver, Colorado, and only about 400 of those youth are getting hired and maybe not even 400. If youth want to get more involved in the community or the world and society, they can’t because there’s not enough programs. If we do want to get a job or something related to a job, maybe volunteer or entrepreneurship, we don’t have experience because there’s a lot of competition out there.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what would it be?
I think I would try to change the age requirement for working. I would try and change it to where you would have to be 16 years old to work. Nowadays 15-year-olds are growing way too fast and are maturing quicker.
Do you see yourself politically involved in the 2012 election?
I do see myself right now. In the Mayor’s Youth Commission, we are empowering young voices who try to get involved with the community and make a better Denver. We run our own meetings. We have what we call co-chairs. We have an adult co-chair and a youth co-chair. We were trying to have one of the youth members write a speech to actually get involved with this year’s DNC. We didn’t really follow through with that because of the time commitment.
By Pratik Cherian, 17, Y-Press
Ava Lowery, 17
Alexander City, AL
Four years ago, Ava Lowery was frustrated. She felt that just speaking out against the war in Iraq wasn’t enough and decided to combine her love of video, journalism and politics and start a Web site, www.peacetakescourage.com.
She writes articles and makes videos about the war in Iraq that convey the message that people can support the troops and oppose the war at the same time. She also has a forum and blog on her Web site and a store that sells “peace takes courage” apparel.
Despite her activism, Ava doesn’t see herself as unique. “Young people have started to realize that there are issues out there that are affecting us directly. For example, a lot young people are being sent to Iraq, a lot of young people can’t afford a college education, a lot of young people are seeing their families struggle without health insurance. So I think young people are starting to get more involved and become less of the apathetic generation that we’ve been painted to be,” she said.
Has anyone given you advice about your Web site?
Sure, with different chances I’ve had to meet with politicians and people behind the scenes who’ve pretty much just encouraged me to keep going and to keep the optimism I have, because the great thing about the younger generation is that when we get out there and speak our minds, we have a lot of optimism.
What would you consider your greatest success?
I think just the fact that the Web site gets as many hits as it does and gets the support that it does. The e-mails that I get in support really encourage me to keep going and make me feel successful at what I’m doing, which is trying to get out there and tell people the truth about the war in Iraq.
What would you consider to be your biggest mistake?
When I first started out, people would send me e-mails that were just nasty and negative and filled with personal attacks. I would let those get to me. I’ve grown, I’ve learned to just realize that those people are just saying those things because they know I’m telling the truth and it frustrates them. So I see that it was a mistake in the beginning to let those get to me.
So what advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?
Just go out there and do it and don’t let anyone tell you can’t do it. That’s the most important thing. The Internet is phenomenal and it’s something that’s right at your fingertips and it’s a powerful tool, and if you get out there and speak your mind, chances are somebody’s going to see it.
Do you have any goals for your Web site?
Yes, I mean, peacetakescourage.com isn’t just about the war in Iraq. It’s about peace in general, and I just want to continue getting out there and bring attention to issues that need to have attention brought to them. There are a lot of issues out there right now that deal with peace and stability.
By Tommy Mangan, 11, Y-Press
Johan Mahlum, 16
Bismarck, ND
Johan Mahlum has grown up in a Democratic family and supports the party’s ideals. This year, although he cannot vote, he has donated money to Democratic causes and was a page at the North Dakota Democratic State Convention.
He has worked for the party in other ways, too. He keeps up to date on campaign news and talks with his friends about key issues. He suggests other teens do the same.
How did you decide to support Barack Obama?
I did take a while to look at the candidates, compared their views and such, and I thought that Obama’s general idea of change was one that suited our country, you know, because I don’t really think that we’re right now going down a path that we can continue going down.
What has been the best response to your activism?
People are really glad that I’m politically active at my age and really glad that I have opinions and that I can think for myself.
What do you plan to do as the country gets closer to the November election?
I am not going to be voting in this election, but I definitely think that I’ll be talking to my parents and be discussing it with people that are maybe helping out in the voting process, doing whatever I can.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what would it be?
It would most likely be something to do with our foreign policy and getting more involved in the genocide cases that we have around the world and helping to prevent that.
Who do you predict will win and why?
I do think that Barack Obama has superior forces behind him and more in quantity of voters that are looking for change in this election. And I think that that is going to be the key ticket, and I think that he will be most likely our future president.
By Jordan Gaither, 17, Y-Press
Deon Pinner, 16
Denver, CO
Deon Pinner joined the NAACP in 5th grade, and he has remained committed to it ever since. “I’m really dedicated. There’s a lot of things I could be doing, you know, I don’t get paid. I just do it because I like to see a change in my community. I feel that I’m making a difference.”
Deon keeps busy helping his community and other youth and also the poor and homeless. Just recently, Deon worked with the NAACP on a voter registration drive.
What do you consider your biggest success?
I think my biggest accomplishment is when we go down and do outreach for the homeless because that makes me feel good. That makes me feel that we’re doing what we should be doing, we’re helping out the community, we’re making a difference in someone else’s life.
How have you benefited from your involvement with the NAACP?
I have better self-confidence and self-esteem with the different activities that I do on a day-to-day basis. I feel like it gives me responsibility and it teaches me to multitask. I feel like nothing’s impossible.
If you could talk with the candidates about any issue, what would it be?
I would really talk about poverty. I think maybe that communism is the answer to our problems because what I see is a gap. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. With communism, it would even everyone out, maybe no one would have to climb up or go down, because no one would try and do better than anyone else. I live in an urban community, and I don’t see anything but it getting worse and worse.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what would it be?
First issue is law enforcement and how they treat people by race. I see now more and more black men going to jail and, being a black man, that doesn’t sit right with me. I feel like we’re almost becoming extinct, like you don’t have a black male to be in a home.
What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?
It starts with your heart. A lot of kids are just followers you know, they don’t really have any guidance. When you have heart, you believe in yourself and you’re going to do what is right.
By Rebecca Mangan, 13, Y-Press
Amanda Randall, 19
Aberdeen, SD
Amanda Randall has been involved in politics since age 13. For five of those years she’s been active in the Teen Age Republicans, a group affiliated with the Republican Party that is dedicated to getting young people involved in the political process. She has held several positions in TARS, most recently as state chair, where she’s been in charge of recruiting and leadership.
Amanda became involved in politics in 2002, when John Thune ran unsuccessfully against Tim Johnson for the U.S. Senate, losing by only 524 votes. Since then, politics have been a huge part of her life, including working on Thune’s successful campaign against Tom Daschle for the Senate in 2004.
This fall Amanda plans to study nursing at Presentation College in Aberdeen.
According to Rock the Vote, this is the first year that the leading Democratic candidates have all had directors in charge of youth outreach. What do you think has changed to allow young people to feel part of the process?
I think the Democrats see that the Republicans have always had a very strong Teen Age Republican (organization) across the nation and in the states. We’ve also had really strong college Republicans, and now I think they see that it works to get younger people involved. Younger people may not be able to vote, but they can still go knock on doors, hold signs and convince people to vote for a candidate.
What has been the best response you’ve gotten to your political work?
I’ve been complimented a lot on my work ethic and how hard I do work. And if I start something I always put a 110 percent into it and I always do it to the best of my ability and I always finish the job.
Have you made any mistakes?
Maybe a mistake I have made is not always asking people to help and just doing things on my own. Not getting people involved as much as I should’ve would probably be the biggest, now that I think about it.
What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?
I would say talk to your chairman of your county and of your party and find out from them if there is a TARs organization around. If not, try and find one on the state level or talk to your state chairman and get involved that way. Another good way to get involved is helping in a campaign. If you help a candidate and they get elected, you’re going to go a lot further because they’ll help you.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what issue would it be about and what would you be trying to change?
The legislation that I would try to pass would be a bill to end all abortions. I am very, very pro life, and I believe that since abortion has become legal in the United States, it has just evolved into more problems.
By Jake Thornburgh, 14, Y-Press
Raven Robinson, 17
New York City, NY
At age 15, Raven Robinson decided that she wanted to pursue a career in public service, and she’s been busy ever since. Not only has she held a series of leadership roles in her school’s student government, she’s been involved in several political activities as well.
For two years, she’s been a member of Generation Engage, a nonprofit group that connects youth to political leaders and organizations so they can engage in “meaningful debate about the future they will inherit.” She recruits new members for the organization and has participated in a video IChat with former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Raven also is a blogger and board member for Girls in Government, an organization that encourages females of all ages to be engaged in politics, and she has interned in the offices of New York state Sen. Rubén Diáz Sr., where her favorite memory was sitting in a Senate session in Albany while a congestion pricing bill was discussed.
In the fall, Raven will be a freshman at City College in New York majoring in political science.
Why did you decide to get involved?
The reason I decided to get involved is because I used to go to a middle school (the Maritime Academy in the Bronx) that was mostly Caucasian students. The high school I went to was mostly minority students. I saw how things are different at two different facilities under the board of education due to location and even different races. I thought of how I wanted to change the things that go on not inside of schools, but in those communities, and I thought the only way to go into that was public service.
What are the best responses you’ve had to your work?
People compliment me about my dedication. A lot of students like politics, but they’re not ready to spend time on it. I am the kind of person who if you call me, I’ll e-mail you back, even if I am busy. I’ll call you back later.
If you could pass any piece of legislation, what would it be?
More funding of schools in the urban environment is something that I will try to change, also poor reading levels and things like that, getting more tutors inside of schools instead of parents having to do that on their own outside of school.
Whom do you support for the presidential nomination?
I haven’t picked a candidate yet. Despite the fact that I can’t vote, I still want to have a candidate in mind. I am dedicated to politics. There’d be times I’d wake up in the middle of the night and I just turned on CNN to see what’s going on with the caucuses.
What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?
Don’t pick a party yet because you’re still young and you don’t want to limit yourself. Learn about the other political parties even though you might not think you agree with them. Don’t limit yourself to a person because they’re Republican or Democratic. Intern for Republicans one summer, intern for a Democrat the next summer and see how they are different.
By Justin Byers, 15, Y-Press
Ari Siesser, 17
Carrollton, GA
Ari Siesser has always had a burning passion for politics, but he has become even more inspired to act as the country’s economic situation deteriorates. “According to research I read, it looks like it’s going to exceed everyone’s worst nightmares,” he said.
For the past two years, Ari has been involved in Young Democrats of Georgia, the state's official youth arm of the Democratic Party. Its members strive to benefit their communities by working within the political process.
Ari has held many positions in Young Democrats, most recently as executive director of high school chapters. He is now focusing his efforts on College Democrats and hopes to start a Students for Barack Obama chapter at the University of West Georgia, which he will attend in the fall.
What motivates you to maintain your level of activism?
Especially at a time like this, a lot of people are upset at the way things are going. The current economic situation is a product of policy, so if one really wants to make a difference and help out in the world, you got to at least have some knowledge and involvement with who is making your policy and representing you in the federal government
What advice would you give to other kids who want to get politically involved?
There are plenty of channels for young people to reach out and to get involved. You can go on the Young Democrats Web site, College Democrats Web site. The High School Democrat Caucus is actually renovating their Web site. We are all more than happy to get more people involved.
More youth than ever have turned out to campaign for the presidential candidates. What do you think has changed to allow young people to feel a part of the process?
I think that young people today are extremely critical of the government. They see what a hard time we are going through, especially with the media and its constant outpouring of negative news pertaining to the Iraq War. They aren’t oblivious to what is going on and their disappointment I assume makes them want to help change [the country] and put themselves in a good position for the future. I also think they see Barack Obama as maybe like a pop culture icon. I think a lot of people sort of look up to Barack Obama simply because he seems to be “cool.”
Do you have any regrets?
I was running to be the youngest delegate in the history of the Democratic National Convention, and I didn’t campaign hard enough. I ended up getting beat by a politician by only a couple of votes.
By Jonathan Gainer, 16, Y-Press
Cory Washington, 18
Madison, MS
In Mississippi, the summer of 1963 was a violent one — 30 black homes and 37 black churches were firebombed, and more than 80 civic activists were beaten. The following summer, about 40 Freedom Schools were opened, dedicated to creating “an educational experience for students which will make it possible for them to challenge the myths of our society, to perceive more clearly its realities, and to find alternatives — ultimately new directions for action,” in the words of founder Charles Cobb. Though the program foundered through the years, it was reborn in 1992 with the support of the Children’s Defense Fund.
This summer, Cory Washington volunteered at his local Freedom School in Jackson, MS. While the focus of the program has changed to include reading and the humanities, it continues to be rooted in political activism. Recently, Jackson Freedom School students held a voter drive where over 1,000 people were registered. They also held rallies to raise concerns about important issues in their community, such as health care, education and voting registration.
Cory feels that he has grown up in a “sheltered” life and may not deal with all of the issues that the average American teen might. But by being a local Freedom School intern, he says he sees firsthand what social and political issues face youth in his home state. He also feels he has given them something: “What I am bringing to the kids is that they can know that they can be educated and still have fun with life.”
Could you explain the Freedom School?
It’s for minority children. It helps them build their reading skills and helps them to learn more about their culture and their myths about different things, topics, about what has happened and what will happen.
Have you seen any personal benefits from teaching these kids?
Coming to Freedom School, where kids are less fortunate than I am, it gives me a better perspective about different things that go on in Mississippi and in the United States.
What are some of the issues important to the kids you work with?
Some of our kids are uninsured. I’ve been insured all my life. A lot of our kids are deprived or have emotional issues, and I’ve never had the problem of being deprived. And these kids coming out of Jackson Public Schools, their education level is not as high as someone who is in Madison County, where I live. The simple fact is that the teachers are being paid so much less for a workload that is so much more.
What issue concerns you today?
Right now an issue that I am probably facing would be the gas prices. It’s rough trying to pay gas prices when they are so high.
What national issue do you feel strongly about?
I am going to tell you my view on universal health care. I don’t believe in universal health care, and if I’m not mistaken, that’s what the Democrats are leaning towards in this election. There are so many problems with that as far as doctors would be paid less, and the wait lists and everything would be more…that’s one thing I don’t agree with.
