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June 28, 2004
Redefining Civic Engagement
Pay attention NAE: Jake Lowen writes in WireTap, "Once I began to work with youth, I realized that the disillusionment I felt with the ability of traditional means of civic engagement to accomplish anything was not unique to me, but one of the defining characteristics of the post-X generation."
He credits the dramatic drops in youth voting rates to "disenfranchisement" and "disempowerment," but he contrasts that with the surprisingly high rate of volunteerism among teens and young adults. There is a paradox here that is definitely worth exploring, and Lowen gets the conversation started strongly.
In a related article on AlterNet (the parent company of WireTap), MoveOn.org's Joan Blades discusses mobilizing the masses, community organizing, and moving nimbly in the Internet world.
I just hope the NAE is paying attention to voices like Lowen, Blades, and others on the tip of progressive politics. For the times they are a'changin' ...
Posted by Steve K. at June 28, 2004 11:06 PM
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