Writer: Siena Iwasaki Milbauer
Minnesota’s state legislative session is in full swing, so there’s no better time to think about how we as youth can make our voices heard by our elected representatives. That goes for our state representatives, and also for school board members, city council members, mayors, our governor, and our national representatives.
But let’s be honest: youth often get the short end of the stick from elected officials. Some elected officials just don’t seem interested in making the time to listen to youth concerns and insights. That’s especially true for folks under 18, who are therefore not eligible to vote (yet!).
This behavior by elected officials is totally ridiculous! No matter your age or any other identity you hold, we are the community that elected officials are elected to serve. Not only that, but youth have some of the strongest and most inventive ideas to share with our elected officials. It is a benefit to everyone for our voices to be heard.
So how do we make this happen? Let’s go through a few tips so that you can stand up and speak up to the folks making decisions in powerful political places.
Lobbying: Lobbying is one of the best ways to get face-to-face time (online or in-person!) with elected officials. And contrary to the stereotype, it isn’t just for big companies with big bucks. There are lots of opportunities for youth to lobby, and lots of support for learning the ropes of lobbying. Scroll to the bottom of this blog for upcoming lobbying opportunities!
Email, Phone, and Social Media: A simple google search of almost any elected official will lead you to their official website. From there, you can find their email, phone, and social media contact information. Reaching out to your representatives through these mediums may not be as personal as lobbying, but it’s still a great way to make yourself heard. Remember to be professional in your messages, but also let your authentic voice and concerns shine through.
Attending public meetings and sessions: Many meetings of political bodies are open to the public, whether that is in-person or via online streaming. These meetings are another great chance to meet your representatives and express your opinions to them. They are also a big learning opportunity to see how the political process works.
Protests: Protests are one of the most common and effective ways to communicate with elected officials. Whether you are protesting in support of an elected official’s actions, or to express your disagreement, protests are one of our greatest tools of political empowerment as youth.
Do your background research…But trust the inherent value of your perspective: Always do your research before getting in touch with elected officials. A good tip is to have some facts and data ready to reference in your discussion about whatever topic you want to talk about, and to have some familiarity with elected officials’ own views, voting history, and political priorities.. That being said, know that even without a speck of research, your voice is valuable. Especially when talking about issues affecting you and your community, your lived experiences give you all the authority you need.
Be respectful..But don’t let anyone run over you!: Being polite to elected officials isn’t just friendly, it’s the best way to get them to listen to you. However, if an elected official tries to patronize or dismiss you, respectfully but firmly push back. Remember: they work for you!
Be proactive about getting involved in the political process…But know that isn’t the only way to make a difference: It’s no secret that we at AAOP are very excited about empowering Asian youth to harness our political power! Voting, lobbying, protesting, organizing: we want to do it all! But we also know that politics is far from the only way to make a difference in our communities. So tap into politics when you are motivated to, but also follow your passions wherever they take you.
Interacting with elected officials can be intimidating and even confusing because of all the bureaucracy involved. That’s especially true for young constituents. But our voices matter and we have the ability to use them wisely and powerfully. Together, we can work to ensure that our elected officials hear what we have to say and act to properly represent our communities needs, hopes, and dreams.
Organized lobbying days are an amazing way to dip your toes into interacting with elected officials. You’ll have support from experienced organizers to show you the ropes, and you’ll be able to build community with other young activists. Below are a couple of upcoming opportunities!
-March 7: CAAL MN: Asian Minnesotan Day at the Capitol
-March 25: Pro-Choice Minnesota and Unrestrict Minnesota: Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day
-April 20: Council on Asian Pacific Americans: API Day at the Capitol