ServiceVote.org mobilizes and supports young people to be civically engaged as advocates addressing the issues they care about in all areas of civic life; and mobilizes and supports advocates for youth service and service-learning in order to engage public officials and building support for service and service-learning.
Our generation is not interested in the typical nightly newscasts. We want our television programs to be entertaining, light-hearted, and easy to digest. With the presidential election coming up the nightly comedy shows have provided a way for the young audience to become informed about the candidates and the issues that matter. Options like Stewart, Colbert, Leno, and Letterman are much more appealing to watch because they satire the headlines. This sort of political comedy is a great way for youth to get “educated” and more importantly involved with political issues and campaigns. This election year it was very popular to make the round of the late night shows. It gives an aspect of realism to the candidates. It shows the candidates are down-to-earth and “cool” if they are willing to be guests on these shows. One of the main targets for these three shows is the college age. For us and many of our friends the late night hosts are easy and fun ways for us to hear our current events. Even though these shows are not the conventional ways to get the political newsfeed, they keep us informed. We often find ourselves more interested because the shows make political information funny. What about these shows make the presidential candidates more relatable? Are there other unconventional sources you use to get your political information? (Write back. ) Make us laugh. Matthew and Gina
A pound? A fist bump? A weird high-five? What was it? Tuesday night as Barack Obama walked on stage to deliver his victory speech as Democratic presidential nominee he did what the media considered to be a weird gesture. He clenched his fist, put his arm forward and gave his wife a fist pound. For us young people we know what this is, it’s a pound. But the media was puzzled. They were expecting an embrace, maybe a small kiss, but instead saw this hip exchange of emotions between Barack and his wife, Michelle. Was this an intentional, planned out gesture? Obama has been painted by many as a youthful candidate for 2008 election. One can only wonder whether or not this was common behavior or planned opportunity to capitalize and resonate with youth. By doing this he may have confused the older population, but this fist pound was simply another way to attract in the younger audience. Purposely or spontaneously, Obama made himself seem cool, hip, and in touch with young voters. Did this make him look young or did he distance himself from the older audience? (Write back. ) And in signing off, pound. Matthew and Gina
The following letter to the editor from Steven Culbertson, President & CEO of Youth Service America, appears in the February 25th issue of TIME Magazine:
"I commend TIME and Rick Stengel for recent cover stories recognizing the powerful role that service plays in political engagement, academic achievement and workforce readiness. It is natural for youth to care (and vote) once they understand the issues beyond the schoolyard. The key to expanding this movement is to make sure that young Americans from all backgrounds and every grade have the same opportunity to bring their energy, commitment, idealism and creativity to the big problems facing our country and the world."
To read the extended version available only here, click read more below.
ServiceVote kicked off its campaign to connect service and the political process at the College Convention 2008 (CC2K8) in Manchester, New Hampshire from November 28th through December 1st. More than 175 people partcipated in service projects to address critical issues around health and education.
Several presidential candidates made appearances at CC2K8. ServiceVote took the opportunity to engage the candidates in attendance around the issue of youth service, including former Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Joe Biden, Former Senator Mike Gravel, Mayor Steve Marchand representing Governor Bill Richardson, and Senator Lindsey Graham representing Senator John McCain.
