Millennial's seem to get a bad rap. Too many figures point towards them for the blame of 'mal-political practice.' “It’s their fault that this politician made it in. They never vote, listen to the news, or try to be involved with the country. Really, it’s their fault that this country is going to shambles.” one bystander told Taylor Wright, a 25 year old. Growing up, Taylor has been an outgoing and thoughtful kid, and now as an adult his rambunctious attitude can still leave a mark on those he meets.
The common mentality that newer generations are less active in the political realm is very misinformed. The Vox reported that newer generations have out-voted the older generations in 2018, based on research performed by the Pew Research Center. So then why exactly is it harder for the newer generations to make a presence in the polls?
Taylor brought up the example of Medical Marijuana in Utah. With the push to legalize the drug in Utah the topic has become more popular for most around Taylor's age, and especially for Taylor; being a possible benefactor of the medications. With the polls open to the public, he began to ask around to see what people were thinking on the topic to gather whether passing the proposition would be a logical choice considering circumstances. The responses he found weren't helpful in his search.
He began to feel conflicted; He, being a member of prominent Church (The church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints), was faced with a variety of backlash for asking if the should vote to pass the proposition. One person said that the wasn’t being faithful to the church if the passed the proposition, especially since the Church urged its members to not pass the bill off the basis that the bill was underdeveloped. Likewise, not having the drug passed would mean a standstill for several patients that would benefit- not receiving the aid they have been waiting for. With the frustration brought on for Taylor the overall experience became one where his vote would feel conflicted and impersonal. On that specific topic, he decided not to vote.
Conflict in the minds of newer generations is not uncommon. Brooking’s educational center reported that “Leading up to the [2016] election, polls showed that 67 percent of black youth and 36 percent of Latino youth were “scared” of the possibility of a Trump presidency.” Trump, during the election, Trump only received support from about ⅓ of the youth toward the final election. It is no question (based on the radical feel of Trump’s campaign and later office as president) that Trump does not always have everyone’s best interest in mind when covering a topic. Is that not what makes the voting process so even?
Taylor Wright had been raised by great parents, one a detective for the
West Valley Police department, and his mother a stay-at-home mom- who both worked tirelessly to help Taylor achieve his dreams. It’s not like Taylor himself is not active in his country- He was sworn into the Army in late 2019, and entered Basic training in November. He knows commitment to his country, family, and friends, and is not one to break that trust. True it may be that many people can receive the brunt of a complex situation and not know what to do, it does not specifically point to one generation alone. To Taylor and other reporters, taking a firm side may not be the future of politics.
