The Importance of Youth Activism

Speech delivered at Dillworth Plaza, Philadelphia at a voter registration drive hosted by the Youth Commission. - 9/20/2008

Good afternoon. I am pleased to be here on behalf of Councilman Rizzo and honored to be speaking to all of you. I am particularly honored because I am the youngest candidate here today.

Just over ten years ago I graduated from high school and started that winding path of independence and self discovery. Today, I am here in front of you to speak about youth activism and hopefully from the point of view as someone not too far removed from that category.

Many people will look to speak to you about civic duty and how it is a responsibility; you may even hear Kennedy quoted “ask not what your country can do for you …”. I know for those several years after high school, that is a tough bill to sell. On one hand, you are busy just trying to find out about yourself, let alone discovering what type of causes to support. On the other hand, you are also occupied with studying, working or both. It is tough starting out and with all of that going on, it is hard to listen to someone telling you civic duty is your responsibility.

I am not here to tell you that. I am here to say that you should try to be civicly involved because they need you. High school and college aged students may not bring the same level of experience as people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but you bring fresh and relevant points of view to the table.

As an example, education is a serious issue, from under-performing and unsafe public schools, to the price of college that leaves you with mountains of debt after graduation, to even difficulty in getting training in the building trades.

You are dealing with these issues first hand and have the ability to help affect change in the system for yourselves and for those following after you.

There are also varying ways on approaching youth activism. Even though having people willing to go knock on doors, get signatures and even hold rallies is great, there are many other ways to help and be active. The little stuff is just as important – writing letters to the editor and your elected officials, picking up trash in the neighborhood or walking children to school. Don’t get caught up in the idea that activism is about big flashy press coverage. Some of the most important and longest lasting results come from events that no one outside of your neighborhood even knows takes place. One of the best volunteers is one that works within the area they are comfortable with. Do something you enjoy. Activism is a lot more fun when it doesn’t feel like a chore. If it is fun, you’ll keep doing it.

Keep it fun and keep it honest and it will be something you will enjoy doing again and again.

Now, I would just like to end letting you know one person can make a difference. For the last several years I have been living in North Philadelphia. I purchased an old house that needs renovating in a neighborhood that has been forgotten by government. In the years I have been there I have joined the civic association, become a ward chairman, helped fight for getting a grocery store in the neighborhood and do what I can to lower crime and clean up the neighborhood. Out of all the activism I have done, there was on specific event that took place that reminds me it is all worth it.

When it snows, I shovel the sidewalks of the seniors on my block. This one winter, after I shoveled the sidewalk of the lady across the street from me, I got a knock on my door. There was Ms. Dorisey standing on my steps. She told me she had seen me shoveling her sidewalk and that she appreciated it. She had gone to the store today and brought me back a box of Enteman’s cinnamon rolls as a thank you. Here is this wonderful lady, renting an apartment in a tough part of the City, on a fixed income and she spent some of her grocery budget on me because she wanted to let me know I was appreciated.

That, my friends, always reminds me that one person can make so much of a difference in this world. I hope you go out there and get to experience that same type of moment yourself.

Thank you.