If assessed by the amount of media attention and early campaigning by the major political parties, the approaching national election is an important marker in the destiny of our nation. Much foreshadowing and numerous negative predictions have already been put forth for the 2024 election. News headlines and excerpts from some of the candidates’ rhetoric promote fear for some and cynicism for others. It’s difficult to find something to be optimistic about regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election.
I’ve always put faith in the coming generation. I believe that they are the wise ones who find ways to see beyond the mess we find ourselves in when we abandon ethical principles and compassion. They make us hear them by any means necessary and I’ve always supported them in their efforts. Recently, I’ve begun to question if we can still count on the young to save us.
I want to ignore the polls about possible changes in the political leanings of younger voters because there are a lot of variables to consider regarding the integrity of the polling process and the interpretation of the results. Recent history has shown that younger voters have more progressive ideals, and therefore lean more toward the Democratic party. Articles using poll results as the focus, however, show that where the Democratic party leads among younger voters, the margin is extremely small, and in some cases the Republican party is ahead by a small margin. When I read that many men, in particular, admire the Republican candidate because of his machismo, I begin to wonder if we’re losing what has been so precious about young voters—optimism.
I want to believe that the current polarizing environment on so many issues would ignite and excite young voters to stand up for the ideals of the nation. However, it seems that in the current environment, it may seem impossible or futile to express noble ideals and meet the projected challenges with openness, compassion, courage, and integrity.
I don’t want to lose hope. What can open the door to optimism when there are so many forces pushing against it? What voice and whose words have broken through before?
I share the following adapted and updated excerpt from President Barak Obama’s memoir, A Promised Land(from The Atlantic, Nov. 12, 2020):
“If I remain hopeful about the future, it’s in large part because I’ve learned to place my faith in my fellow citizens, especially those of the next generation, whose conviction in the equal worth of all people seems to come as second nature, and who insist on making real those principles that their parents and teachers told them were true but that they perhaps never fully believed themselves. More than anyone else, my book is for those young people—an invitation to once again remake the world, and to bring about, through hard work, determination, and a big dose of imagination, an America that finally aligns with all that is best in us.
“What I can say for certain is that I’m not yet ready to abandon the possibility of America—not just for the sake of future generations of Americans but for all of humankind.”
Gwen Dungy 
Are 18 to 36 Year Old Americans Hopeful?
I was reading your blog post about hope while lunching at Seasons 52. When my server and the bar tender asked me what I was reading, I shared your post with them. Soon the assistant manager joined the group, and then younger employees started to drop by my table. All were eager to share their ideas and opinions, so I chatted for several hours and took some notes. Two days later, I repeated the process at Bahama Breeze. Yesterday, I shared your post with fellow fitness enthusiasts at my gym. Over the last three days, thirty-three people read your post and chatted with me about it. The oldest person was thirty-six; the youngest was eighteen. Over sixty percent were Black or Latina/Latino. Here is a summary of their comments edited for brevity.
Conduct
My 4th grade teacher would never have allowed her class to behave the way many state and federal legislators behave today. Even my parents are embarrassed, and they are life-long Republicans.
When I look at how state and federal legislators act and listen to what they say, I remember why I resigned from my college fraternity. A frat boy/frat girl mentality dominates one of today’s major political parties.
Information, Respect, and Polarization
No one seems to be educating us. Everyone seems to be trying to “sell” us on their position or belief system. There’s no context, no balance, and no respect for anyone who does not share a very specific world view.
Too many members of the generations that preceded our generation seem willing to become PIE People. Uninterested in context, balance or spending time researching issues, PIE People prefer perfect, instant, and easy-to-understand explanations for everything. This has led to the polarization of the electorate on both the right and the left: either you share my belief or you are not a real American. We view ourselves as real Americans, and we do not agree 100% with either the extremists on the right or the extremists on the left. We are “sensible centrists” who, at the moment, seem to be politically homeless in America.
Money
America seems to work best for the wealthy. And when a country only works for the rich, it will not last long.
The state in which we live and work is joining way too many of its sister states in becoming a pay to play state. Legislators with no background in education become university presidents and earn obscene salaries; friends of the governor receive million dollar no-bid contracts; other “friends” are appointed to state agencies that regulate—drum roll, please—the companies they own or for which they work.
Fear, Imagination, and Hope
My grandparents lived through political turmoil in their birth country very similar to what has been happening in America since 2016. They are terrified of what is coming, feel powerless to do anything, and are beginning to conclude that Democracy does not work because too many people are incapable of governing themselves.
The problem with native-born Americans is that they cannot imagine their country in ruins. It has survived so much and emerged stronger every time because the center held, sensible people prevailed, and mob rule was avoided. But this time is different. The barbarians are at the gate, and those barbarians are our fellow citizens who either believe they will benefit from a country in ruins or trust that the guardrails of democracy in place since 1776 will hold no matter how irresponsibly they—and their leaders—behave.
The only hope I have left for this country is that extremists on the left and the right will re-discover the concept of enlightened self-interest and start talking and listening to one another because if American doesn’t work for most of its citizens, it does not work for any of its citizens.
Action and Inaction
As soon as I finish my degree in computer science, I am applying for Canadian citizenship.
I have cancelled my newspaper subscriptions, no longer watch the news on TV, and avoid political discussions by leaving the room. My survival plan is to keep my head down, try not to make myself a target, and avoid getting on anyone’s radar by registering to vote. Although I will hope for the best, I also plan to prepare for the worst.
I will hold my nose and vote for the “least bad” candidate. But there is something seriously wrong with a political system that tells me the two best candidates for president of the most powerful nation in the world are an octogenarian or an intellectually challenged blowhard who is a bully, a liar, and possibly a criminal.
Why Am I Sharing This Information with You? Your blog post triggered some thoughtful—and much needed—conversations in unexpected places. The young people with whom I spoke were thrilled that someone was interested in their opinion, and they definitely wanted to learn more. When I reminded several not to neglect their customers, they told me that they had gone off shift nearly an hour ago. At their request, I am developing a list of resources for all the people with whom I spoke, and I have promised to return frequently over the summer to continue our conversation. Bottom Line: Perhaps all of us need to do our bit to find small pockets of hope, and then water the heck out of them!
Maggie, thank you so much for your comment!