September 2024: My Final Youth Perspective

In January 2022, with the recommendation of my English teacher, I reached out to Prescott Indivisible seeking an internship. I wanted to involve myself in local politics and activism in a tangible way. Under the mentorship of members of Prescott Indivisible, we’ve accomplished that and more. The Youth Perspective is more than the five columns published on the Prescott Indivisible newsletter. It is the willingness of Prescott’s community to yield the podium to the youth, and more than that, to encourage them to speak. This past March we expanded the Youth Perspective, and invited students, Prescott Indivisible members, and community figures to the conference room of The Launch Pad Teen Center for an intergenerational roundtable discussion about issues affecting our community.

This group certainly had differing opinions. For example, Peggy, a Prescott Indivisible member, brought up concerns about the trend towards abbreviated texting and social media, asking “When did we stop talking to each other?” Students offered different perspectives about communication styles. Chris and Lena, both graduating seniors in Prescott, stated that talking to their family across the dinner table was the most human and honest way to connect. Lena further stated that those conversations are often a welcome break from the accelerating pace of her professional and academic life, where she receives constant texts and notifications about work, school assignments, schedules, and so on. Madi, also a graduating senior, shared the angle that social media and texting can feel like a safer way to share one’s stance on a topic without fear of violence or retribution, especially if you hold an unpopular opinion. Chris also described that sharing experiences, especially small things—road trips, suffering through the classes, lunchtime—bring him closer to his peers. 

Another issue that sparked discussion was how, in a retirement area like Prescott, do teens connect with their community and peers. “It’s a fact that [Prescott]’s not welcoming to teens,” said Stan. Many others of the elder generation agreed, citing a lack of public transit, economic barriers, and walkability as tangible areas where Prescott needs to do better in to support students and teens.

The core issue of how we overcome the generational gap was a theme of the day’s discussion.

For me, the issue of communication comes down to empathy and humanity: simple concepts on paper that, when put into practice, can become extraordinarily complicated. Whether the gap is between Gen Z and Boomers, or between Republicans and Democrats, the solution remains authentic human connection. The issue of civil discourse is one I have written about and advocated for, and it is important, now more than ever, to think critically about what that means. As Lena brought up, a compassionate and open-minded approach to the struggles of others, especially when we don’t understand them, is effective in bringing people together. Often, our first instinct when others approach us with a personal problem is to think of solutions and offer advice that we are not always qualified to offer. We speak, when in fact, listening is the more effective solution. Counterintuitively enough, giving someone space and allowing for growth can bring us closer together, Lena said.

For the participants of the intergenerational roundtable, they felt that it is sorely lacking in our education system. “You’re not encouraged to use your voice and to have conversation and be in debate class or have conversations in class,” Peggy asserted. As she points out, discourse isn’t limited to civics or politics—it is how we resolve disagreements, even on something like how to approach a biology dissection lab. Natalie, a former teacher, explained how she encouraged discourse in her classroom: “My main goal as their history teacher was not for them to walk away from my class loving history, because that’s not going to be everyone’s subject, but for them to be able to learn how to research, to consider multiple perspectives and points of view, and to be able to state what they believe when they learn about a topic.”

Politics does not have to be the cesspool of greed, obscurity, divisive rhetoric, and platitudinal showmanship that it currently is. Compromise and reconciliation are realities of democracy that leave many of us unsatisfied with the slow wheels of progress. Instead of letting that frustration fester into disunity, I hope for an America where the same people who vote for different leaders in November are able to join hands to watch the January fireworks as a family and as a nation. In a democracy, we resolve those disagreements at the ballot box in November, not with resentment, aggression, or hate. 

As Maria-Elena, a leader in Prescott Indivisible, said in our conversation: “Dissent is patriotic…the political climate has usurped the word patriotism.” 

More than all else, The Youth Perspective and Prescott Indivisible must continue to commit to supporting free speech. Free speech isn’t the ability to say whatever comes to mind; free speech is a responsibility to listen to what others have to say, even when we vehemently disagree. The people in power would much rather Americans view each other as the enemy than to be united and to work towards changing a system that benefits those in power. 

The ability and responsibility to speak to one another is important to me. I came to Prescott Indivisible as a timid and shy high school freshman, nervous at even the thought of flipping on my Zoom camera to a meeting full of then-strangers. Since then, I’ve seen the war in Ukraine, January 6th, economic lows, and several Supreme Court decisions that will extend past even my lifetime. These past four years I interviewed Congressmembers, attended rural action summits and canvassing events, raised the vibration at the Community Lawn Party, hosted a voter registration drive at BASIS Prescott, and hopefully reached some of you with The Youth Perspective. With each interview, each event, and each handshake, I slowly built up resilience and courage.

I am now preparing to begin a new chapter. This year I have the opportunity, as part of Princeton University’s Novogratz Bridge Year Program, to travel abroad to India for nine months to engage in cultural immersion and community service. Separated by eight thousand miles from what I am familiar with, I start this journey not knowing what challenges I will face, but knowing that I will be pushed beyond my comfort zone. I embrace this challenge with open arms. After that, I plan to attend Princeton, and whether I plan to study international affairs, economics, political science, or something else, I know that I will continue to advocate for myself, those around me, and the causes I believe in.

I’ve learned a great deal of practical knowledge during the past few years, but I place far greater value on the wisdom and stories of each individual I’ve met in Prescott Indivisible. Even though my time with the internship is sadly coming to a close, I believe that The Youth Perspective will continue to grow and evolve with other students under the continued mentorship of Prescott Indivisible members, and continue the much-needed work of elevating young voices.

A heartfelt thank you to each member of Prescott Indivisible, and to everyone who has supported and been a part of my journey over the past four years.

May God bless you all, and may God bless America.

Bio:

Toby Chang graduated from BASIS Prescott in May 2024 and is now attending Princeton University. Early on in his life, he was exposed to the partisanship and division that has overrun our media, shaping his values on unity and civil discourse.

As a teenager, Chang knows how easy it is for young people to feel voiceless and powerless to take action against the issues that impact them. He believes that equipping them with the opportunities and skills to be civically engaged is the key to securing the future of our democracy.