The Political Youth

Thanya TheogeneBeattie

English 101

The Vietnam War

Crowds of young protesters gathered at universities, city halls and government buildings

Protests took place all over America

In 1971, the 26th amendment finally gave 18 year olds the right to vote

Voting among younger people

Targeting the Youth

1992 Bill Clinton

appears on Arsenio Hall Show

Entertains the crowd by playing “Heartbreak Hotel” on his sax

2008 Barack Obama

focuses on being progressive and on funding for education

At the Apollo Theater, Obama sang “Let’s Stay Together”

Economic Trouble

Housing bubble bursts, sending the economy on a nose dive

Many young people lose the jobs and become frustrated

Many became involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement

Occupy Wall Street

Protests began in New York in proximity to Wall Street

Youths were angry with the disparity in income and unemployment

Occupy Wall Street

Current State

Youth currently dissatisfied

Have moved on to movements such as gay rights

Protests around the World

Current protests taking place in Bulgaria

Students dissatisfied with government corruption

Back in Texas

The Young Turks

Founded in 2002 by Cenk Uygur, the show focuses on liberal political opinions

Response to the many conservative commentators

Program contains a blend of socio-political issues and pop culture

The trend continues

Throughout history many youths become involved politically, then become dissatisfied or disinterested

Involvement usually stems from events such as war or serious political happenings

Usually youth prove to be a massive force