Restoring Youth Civic Engagement | Noah Tesfaye | TEDxLAHS

Summary

This speech emphasizes the critical importance of civics education in schools to empower young voters. The speaker shares their personal journey of political engagement, highlighting how a lack of comprehensive civics education contributes to low voter turnout among young Americans. They advocate for starting civics education earlier in life to build a more informed electorate. The speech also challenges misconceptions about politics in the classroom and calls for open discussions to better equip future voters. Ultimately, it encourages young people to engage in political activism, vote, and actively contribute to shaping democracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Civics education is crucial for empowering voters and ensuring better political engagement in the U.S.
• 😀 Only 31% of eligible voters aged 18-29 participated in the 2018 midterm elections, highlighting low youth voter turnout.
• 😀 The lack of strong civics education in schools is a major contributing factor to low voter turnout among young Americans.
• 😀 Research from Tufts University suggests that starting civics education in middle or elementary school would boost voter turnout.
• 😀 Inadequate civics education often results in young Americans being unable to pass basic citizenship tests, with only 23% passing the middle school civics exam.
• 😀 Civics education helps students understand how society functions, the branches of government, and how laws are implemented and enforced.
• 😀 There is a misconception that increasing political discussions in classrooms would over-politicize the environment, but these discussions are crucial for fostering informed citizens.
• 😀 Adults need to allow for open political discussions in schools to prepare students for real-world political engagement, and to avoid labeling political views as fringe or extreme.
• 😀 Civics education should not be a partisan issue; it is an American issue to ensure all citizens can participate effectively in democracy.
• 😀 James Comey emphasized the importance of voting, but failed to address how necessary it is to educate young people on how to vote effectively before they can make an informed choice.
• 😀 Individuals under 17 can still make an impact by campaigning, writing about local elections, or engaging in political conversations outside of the classroom to inspire others to vote.

Q & A

Why has the speaker been counting down the days until turning 18?

The speaker has been eagerly anticipating turning 18 in order to gain the right to vote, which they see as an important part of being an active citizen.

How did the speaker's parents' experiences influence their view on politics?

Both of the speaker's parents grew up during the communist regime in Ethiopia, where they had no say in how their government operated. This experience motivated them to push their children to be engaged and educated about politics.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'civics education'?

Civics education refers to teaching students about how the government functions, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the processes involved in policymaking and voting.

What statistic about voter turnout among young Americans does the speaker highlight?

The speaker notes that only 31% of eligible Americans aged 18-29 voted during the 2018 midterms, pointing to a significant gap in youth participation in elections.

What is the relationship between civics education and voter turnout, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that a lack of strong civics education is a key factor in low voter turnout among young people, and that starting civics education earlier in schools could lead to higher voter participation.

What did research by Tufts University reveal about civics education?

Research by Tufts University found that starting civics education in middle or elementary school could increase voter turnout. Additionally, they found that only 23% of Americans who took the middle school civics education exam passed or exceeded standards.

How does the speaker view the importance of civics education?

The speaker argues that civics education is critical for all citizens, as it helps them understand government functions, policymaking, and their role in democracy, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate effectively.

What concern does the speaker address regarding politicizing classrooms?

The speaker acknowledges concerns that increasing political discussions in classrooms could politicize education, but argues that education would be incomplete without allowing students to engage in debates, challenge ideas, and understand diverse political perspectives.

What advice did James Comey give the speaker regarding voting?

James Comey told the speaker that we would not have a say in our democracy if we do not vote, but the speaker critiques this advice for failing to address the root issue—ensuring people are educated about voting and the candidates before they cast their ballots.

What actions does the speaker suggest young people can take to become more politically engaged?

The speaker encourages young people to get involved in campaigning, such as door-knocking or phone banking, to write about political issues, to have discussions with peers and teachers, and to learn about politics in and outside of the classroom to better understand their role in society.