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| Alicia Humphrey Class of 2017 |
By Alicia Humphrey, Class of 2017
Millenials live in an age of political disillusionment. Many of us don’t trust the government to make decisions for us, nor do we believe in the power of our vote. Most of us, feeling largely unaffected by decisions made in D.C., shrug off politics as the meaningless banter of old men far removed from our daily concerns and changing culture. Older generations have incorrectly interpreted this attitude as apathy, yet many Millenials are desperately and constantly in search of a way to influence the world around them from the grassroots level. Operating through social movements, media, and even fashion, Millenials, myself included, are simply looking for a platform for their strong, progressive voice that is so often suppressed and condescended.
Millenials live in an age of political disillusionment. Many of us don’t trust the government to make decisions for us, nor do we believe in the power of our vote. Most of us, feeling largely unaffected by decisions made in D.C., shrug off politics as the meaningless banter of old men far removed from our daily concerns and changing culture. Older generations have incorrectly interpreted this attitude as apathy, yet many Millenials are desperately and constantly in search of a way to influence the world around them from the grassroots level. Operating through social movements, media, and even fashion, Millenials, myself included, are simply looking for a platform for their strong, progressive voice that is so often suppressed and condescended.
My years in college, as for so many others, have been defined by this search for a voice, but it wasn’t until I started working with the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, a student-run think tank, that I finally found it. As a Policy Change Coordinator for the Southern region of the organization this year, I have worked with a group of thirty freshmen at U of L drafting student-written public policy proposals covering a variety of issues ranging from defense and diplomacy to healthcare to education. However, it doesn’t stop with writing. Although they have been working less than a month, the progress these students have already made making real impact on their projects is incredible, including communication with the Governor’s office, campus organization partnerships, and plans to lobby in Frankfort.
Although these students’ policy ideas are incredibly creative and impressive, perhaps the most important thing I have been reminded of is the genuine willingness and even drive of members of my generation to work together to progress the nation. In the face of a country torn apart by the two-party system, working with Roosevelt has renewed my belief that even the most different of people can come together to fix problems and create a better world for us all. As human beings, we are all more alike than different, and it is Millenials uniquely that truly believe this at our core. Despite the polarization and stagnation that is difficult to ignore in D.C. now, my work with Roosevelt has not only given me the political voice I’ve always searched for, but has allowed me to share it with others, reminding me that even young voices can be strong voices.
Alicia Humphrey, of Paducah, Ky., is a junior McConnell Scholar majoring in English, political science and Spanish.
Alicia Humphrey, of Paducah, Ky., is a junior McConnell Scholar majoring in English, political science and Spanish.