For quite some time, our new generation of community leaders have been criticized for their lack of participation in the political process. They have been chastised for not choosing to run for public office, not moving up the political pipeline when an opportunity to make a difference presents itself. Too many of this generation just don’t vote. Many have been turned off by the current political climate — and who can blame them? The rancor of local and national politics has alienated young people who have become cynical about whether government really works for them. The gridlock. The constant one-upsmanship. The lack of consensus. The lack of attention to the issues that continue to have negative affects on generation after generation.
There have been some bright lights that have inspired young people to get more involved. President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential race, with his theme of hope and change, ushered in new leaders on local and national stages, like Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. But young voters quickly became disillusioned as they saw hope and change disintegrate in a climate of congressional disharmony that often relegated Obama to governing by executive order.
Septuagenarian Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 run for president inspired activism, but in a different way. He campaigned on the issues important to current and future generations. Unfortunately, his “Be the Change” movement failed to harness that powerful youthful energy, commitment and activism into a win for Hillary Clinton. But maybe there’s still a light at the end of the tunnel. Ironically, President Trump, who seems more comfortable with despots like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un than our allies, has helped spark a catalyst for greater political engagement, whether it’s fighting for better gun control or battling the assault against women’s reproductive rights. A new generation is stepping up to the plate with new ideas to solve persistent problems. And we could definitely use some new ideas.
Perhaps 29-year-old Segun Idowu, who is challenging longtime Hyde Park incumbent state Rep. Angelo M. Scaccia, described this new wave of activism and engagement best when making the case for his own decision to run. In a recent interview, Idowu said he was tired of hearing the same complaints over and over and decided to do something about it. Idowu provided a public service to the city of Boston by convincing the police department to adopt body cameras to avoid the explosive confrontations faced by officers in other cities who did not wear them.
Throughout Massachusetts, young people are taking up the gauntlet to run for office, many for the first time. Some are even daring to challenge incumbents, a move once thought taboo. They are flexing their political muscle and doing the work needed to compete. Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim, son of iconic civil rights leader Lenny Zakim, is running against incumbent Secretary of State William Galvin. Zakim won the endorsement of the Democratic convention, raised more than $500,000, and received the endorsement of incumbent congressman Seth Moulton.
Since her announcement in January, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley has raised over $720,000 in her bid to unseat 18-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, received endorsements from council colleagues Kim Janey, former President Michele Wu and Annissa Assabi-George. Most recently Pressley garnered an endorsement from 29-year-old national phenom Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who bested incumbent Joe Crowley in the recent New York race for Congress in her first run for office. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in her victory speech for Massachusetts to “vote Pressley in.”
Most of these young challengers will not match the fundraising by incumbents. Ocasio-Cortez didn’t by a long shot — her opponent outraised her 30 to 1 — yet she still won convincingly, turning conventional wisdom about the impact of money on its head. But like Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, who is challenging 30-year incumbent congressman Richard Neal, these younger challengers know that part of a winning equation must be to meet voters where they are and to effectively make the case for change.
Win, lose or draw, we owe our young people a debt of gratitude for challenging the status quo.
Joyce Ferriabough Bolling is a media and political strategist and communications specialist.
