Youth Voices Exhibition
With the 2016 Presidential Election behind us and the reigns of American democracy passed on, youth have become increasingly aware of the political world on a local, national, and global level. In order to contribute to this ever-so important conversation, students at High Tech High North County conducted extensive research on political issues of national importance. From minimum wage to equal rights to our criminal justice system, students at HTHNC became now knowledgeable about their respective issues, and prepared to discuss their research in “table talks” as part of their Exhibition. While high school students may not be able to directly impact the election through a vote, the sharing of opinions and beliefs will become increasingly crucial, even after our next President takes office. With topics ranging from political parties to voter suppression to the electoral college, we studied a variety of elements related to the American political system. As stated previously, each group had to decide on a topic that they were passionate about and wanted to research for Exhibition. My group decided on minimum wage, and went forth with preparing for Exhibition with that topic on our minds.
To gain a perspective on the history of our nation, we investigated numerous aspects of the American political foundation. Our class looked at the philosophical views of important figures such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, and this information was coupled with learning abut The Constitution and a little bit about the Declaration of Independence. We explored the different branches of government, and the checks and balances that go along with those branches. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches all serve to ensure that our government stays democratic and fair for everyone. We moved on to voting rights, and when certain groups were given the opportunity to provide their input in the electoral process. Some of the previously stigmatized groups in society included women, minority voters, and non land-owning citizens, and each group received their rights at different points in history. Delving more into women's rights, we viewed and analyzed the Declaration of Sentiments and some of the leaders that were involved with that movement, and watched the film Iron Jawed Angels to support that content. From here, we transitioned to racial inequality to voter trends and rights, and finally to Super PACs and campaigns. Through the interviews we conducted with prospective voters, I was able to gain an understanding for how confusing politics can be, especially when considering the electoral college versus the popular vote.
Before the "Youth Voices Exhibition" Project, I was not knowledgeable about minimum wage or the policy that surrounds it. Of course, I was familiar with minimum wage after having worked a part-time job over the summer, but I did not know about the variety of stances that could be taken on the issue. I learned that there is a difference between the federal minimum wage rate and the states' respective minimum wage rates, and how those rates are applied to our economy. I was initially in favor of a plan to increase our minimum wage to $12 like Hillary Clinton had proposed, but I ended up holding the view that the states should decide their own minimum wage rates due to different costs of living. The current federal minimum wage rate would still be in place, but the rates would differ across states. This change of mindset was not caused by group conversation, but rather independent research that enabled me to open my mind to a new perspective. While I was the moderator for Exhibition, I was still able to share my thoughts in the downtime before the first panel with some students on the other team, and I thought it was empowering to express my views on a topic that I had spent so much time researching over the past few months.
This project has helped me to reflect on my own political views, and where I belong on the political spectrum. I was also able to understand the history of our country's democracy, and why it is so crucial that we go out to the polls as Americans and make our voices heard. After the iswidewith.com quiz that we took at the beginning of the research phase of the project, I tested almost equally for Democratic and Republican policy (67% Democrat, 66% Republican). However, after researching a variety of topics related to current issues in society today, I have discovered (unsurprisingly) that I lean more liberally. Minimum wage is an example of a topic that I still feel like my views are not firmly rooted on a certain side, and many topics related to economic issues I tend to be more neutral about. However, when watching some of the other panels, I found that my voice could be found in the arguments of Democratic politicians. With this being said, I do not consider it necessary for one to feel pressure to align oneself to a preset foundation of beliefs. I have understood through this project that I am young and still have a lot to learn, but I cannot wait to exercise my democratic rights at a local level next voting season.
To gain a perspective on the history of our nation, we investigated numerous aspects of the American political foundation. Our class looked at the philosophical views of important figures such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, and this information was coupled with learning abut The Constitution and a little bit about the Declaration of Independence. We explored the different branches of government, and the checks and balances that go along with those branches. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches all serve to ensure that our government stays democratic and fair for everyone. We moved on to voting rights, and when certain groups were given the opportunity to provide their input in the electoral process. Some of the previously stigmatized groups in society included women, minority voters, and non land-owning citizens, and each group received their rights at different points in history. Delving more into women's rights, we viewed and analyzed the Declaration of Sentiments and some of the leaders that were involved with that movement, and watched the film Iron Jawed Angels to support that content. From here, we transitioned to racial inequality to voter trends and rights, and finally to Super PACs and campaigns. Through the interviews we conducted with prospective voters, I was able to gain an understanding for how confusing politics can be, especially when considering the electoral college versus the popular vote.
Before the "Youth Voices Exhibition" Project, I was not knowledgeable about minimum wage or the policy that surrounds it. Of course, I was familiar with minimum wage after having worked a part-time job over the summer, but I did not know about the variety of stances that could be taken on the issue. I learned that there is a difference between the federal minimum wage rate and the states' respective minimum wage rates, and how those rates are applied to our economy. I was initially in favor of a plan to increase our minimum wage to $12 like Hillary Clinton had proposed, but I ended up holding the view that the states should decide their own minimum wage rates due to different costs of living. The current federal minimum wage rate would still be in place, but the rates would differ across states. This change of mindset was not caused by group conversation, but rather independent research that enabled me to open my mind to a new perspective. While I was the moderator for Exhibition, I was still able to share my thoughts in the downtime before the first panel with some students on the other team, and I thought it was empowering to express my views on a topic that I had spent so much time researching over the past few months.
This project has helped me to reflect on my own political views, and where I belong on the political spectrum. I was also able to understand the history of our country's democracy, and why it is so crucial that we go out to the polls as Americans and make our voices heard. After the iswidewith.com quiz that we took at the beginning of the research phase of the project, I tested almost equally for Democratic and Republican policy (67% Democrat, 66% Republican). However, after researching a variety of topics related to current issues in society today, I have discovered (unsurprisingly) that I lean more liberally. Minimum wage is an example of a topic that I still feel like my views are not firmly rooted on a certain side, and many topics related to economic issues I tend to be more neutral about. However, when watching some of the other panels, I found that my voice could be found in the arguments of Democratic politicians. With this being said, I do not consider it necessary for one to feel pressure to align oneself to a preset foundation of beliefs. I have understood through this project that I am young and still have a lot to learn, but I cannot wait to exercise my democratic rights at a local level next voting season.