One thing we hope you do today
By Luis Sanchez
This year we marched. We organized. We led. We voted.
Today, we rest.
This morning we don’t know the final results of the election and we may not for a little longer. It is okay to feel scared and anxious about the uncertainty of this moment. There may be misinformation, attempts to discount our votes, and straight up lies meant to harm our communities.
But we know the truth.
We are powerful. Young people voted in record numbers along with Americans of every age and race. Despite attempts by wealthy corporations and the politicians who uphold white supremacy to intimidate us and silence our voices, young people helped fuel critical local victories for racial justice, including expanding the youth vote in Oakland!
To all the young people that called, texted, had hard convos, shared their stories, and organized hundreds of thousands of people this year we hope you do one thing today: protect your energy. For those who couldn’t be in the streets or mobilize because we’re dealing with a global pandemic, economic recession and crises of government: protect your energy. It’s okay to turn off the TV, unplug and rest.
And when you’re ready — whether it’s tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that — join us.
Join our Youth Demand Democracy squad to make sure our voices are heard and to fight for the future we deserve. Help us win a world that prioritizes the future of young people. A government that acknowledges and works to repair the harm done to queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, undocumented and other oppressed communities.
In the ashes of COVID and political crises, we can build a future for all of us that centers our communities in the recovery.
In this moment in history, we may not yet see a clear path forward. But remember we come from a long history of peoples who paved the way for us to see the light and find our way out of darkness. We WILL win because history tells us so. Young people — Black and brown, queer and trans, and undocumented young people in particular — have lead nearly every major civil rights win in this country.
Today we rest. Tomorrow the fight continues. When you’re ready, join us in demanding the future that WE know we deserve.
