Each generation sees the world differently than their parents and grandparents. The twenty-somethings we see today who are graduating from school and going out into the job market are part of the Gen Z generation, born between 1997 and 2012.
Linda Robertson, a member of Kane County Democratic Women, wondered what the Gen Z generation thinks of the memorable words spoken by President John F. Kennedy during his inaugural address on January 6, 1961. She recently brought together a panel of four twenty-somethings from Kane County to talk to the Geneva Learners, mostly retired men and women who meet at the Geneva Library.
Below are the final paragraphs of President Kennedy’s address:
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.
“My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
These words inspired many Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) to join the Peace Corps, fight for their country, and engage in community service. And many of the Geneva Learners shared that their first political memories came from the Kennedy presidency, and that as they came of age, their views of the world were influenced by President Lyndon Johnson, President Richard Nixon, Vietnam, and the tragedy at Kent State.
In contrast to those influences, the four panelists Casey Fitzgerald, 23; Arad Boxenbaum, 25; Mary Horn, 24; and Rory Burger Johnson, 22, shared their experiences and the influences on their lives: growing up in the internet age, going to high school when Donald Trump was running for President, and joining the workforce eight years later with Donald Trump returning to the presidency.
Casey noted that today’s government doesn’t seem to be working for his generation and that “young people need some sense of ownership” in order to help the country.
Mary saw the turmoil under Trump’s first term and remembered that it wasn’t normal and that “leaders told us they were going to take care of it and didn’t do a thing. Nothing’s changing.”
Arad told the audience that Gen Z is aware that its generation is going to be poorer and less likely to own a home. He stated, “I was born in 2001, two years after Columbine and months before 9/11. I’ve never felt safe in a classroom and never known a world without threat.” Arad wants the older generation to recognize what Gen Z has inherited.
Rory believes the duty to help the government is not a feeling his generation has. He stated, “The whole point of government is to be a support system for the people.” All he sees is a government “that takes advantage of you.”
Mary said that whenever she would get fired up “It would just taper off once I realized that my protests and actions weren’t doing anything. It’s hard to keep fighting for change when so many things are so bad.”
Arad said he joined Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action and found ways to be involved in politics. He is also Vice President of the Geneva Library Board.
One of the Geneva Learners audience members recalled, “I was 16 when President Kennedy delivered that speech,” and Kennedy “was talking to the whole world; it was an inclusive speech. Then Ronald Reagan said that the government IS the problem and that changed everything.”
Casey noted that with the 24-hour news cycle, lots of movements fizzle out and don’t get a chance to sustain progress or change. “It’s stacked against us and there’s an additional expectation to have a perfect social media presence, but if you say the wrong thing, you get cancelled.”
Rory said he doesn’t have much of a social media presence. “You’re trained to have a big reaction to everything in the news and stay locked into your views. We end up getting stuck in our echo chambers.”
Casey noted that Kane County Board candidate Julie Forbes recognizes that the younger voters want to be seen and heard in the upcoming elections. Forbes’ summer interns searched for the youth opinion by looking for houses with graduation signs in the yard. They approached the youth in Forbes’ district and helped them get registered to vote. Forbes stated, “We are going after the youth vote, and I’ve changed my platform to reflect their views on affordability and the environment.”
Some older audience members noted that the war in Vietnam motivated them to be active politically. One man stated, “Your generation has to get off the internet and out into the streets. We did Vietnam protests and got our heads busted.” He wondered about the passion in the Gen Z generation.
The Gen Z panel agreed that ICE activity in Kane County and the Israeli Palestinian conflict are motivating younger voters. And that redistricting efforts are making it hard to see how their votes matter.
The takeaway for the Gen Z panel and the Baby Boomer audience was to find ways to get off the internet and reach out to each other in person and talk. Opportunities like this Geneva Learners meeting was a start to including and valuing younger voters so that citizens of all ages can work together to change the country for the better in the upcoming midterm election.