Minnesota Millennial, Power Politics Part 3

Hello!

Part 1 of interview here: https://4tpack.blogspot.com/2018/01/minnesota-millennial-power-politics_3.html

Part 2 of interview here: https://4tpack.blogspot.com/2018/01/minnesota-millennial-power-politics_5.html

-Bringing the spotlight back to Minny, what is your take on our state right now, as far as politics/social issues?

We need a strong progressive base. Minnesota is a blue state, but as we saw in the last election, much of the rural community voted red. We need progressives to go out in these rural communities and talk to blue-collar workers. We need to employ part of Trumps strategy against him. Progressives and Liberals need to campaign and appeal to manufacturers and blue collar workers who are hurting because of anti-union laws and automation.

We need to unite the entire state around a platform that will benefit everyone—a platform that raises the minimum wage, rebuilds unions, and ensures health care to all. We cannot afford to divide into camps along ideological lines. I sometimes think that ideologies and labels get in the way of real reform.

It is currently my goal to get help get single payer health care system through the Minnesota legislature. As they say the States are laboratories for democracy. I want us as a state to be a progressive laboratory, and these issues are a good place to start.

-You were asked to take on an important role regarding social media and outreach by the MNA at the November meeting. Could you explain what that entails? What does this mean for you?

Activists, politicians, and citizens need to use the internet and social media in order to get young people involved in fixing these issues. We are in the age of technology. Although rallies and meetings are effective, they do not have the reach that a website or You Tube video have.

I believe using the internet will give groups like HCAMN a larger audience. Not only will they be able to reach more people in a geographic sense, the internet makes information more accessible to younger demographics. Young people like to interact with online content. They like, share, and comment on videos and blog posts. This, in a sense, is more democratic. It allows people from all around the state to speak their minds on these issues. People who show up to public rallies tend to already agree with the issue so there is less diversity of opinion. Online, media finds its way into a wide demographic of opinions.  This way there are more individuals from differing ideologies and backgrounds commenting on and giving suggestions to the group’s actions.

Photo from Pixabay. Mathieu Landretti mentions interacting online as a method of being politically and socially active, and changing government from the grassroots.

Getting involved online does take quite a bit of effort, but it is worth it. There is not much in overhead cost, but it is time consuming. In order to have an established presence online, it is necessary to update you content regularly. This is true for all platforms and media (videos, articles, blogs, etc.). This is where young people come into the picture. Young people, teens, etc. are online more than they care to admit. Being one of them, I can vouch for that. All that these grassroots movements really need to do is give young people a direction to channel all of that time spent online.

As grassroots organizations begin to use the internet, there will be a demand for those who are tech literate. The initial reaction will be to hire some IT person who will cost an arm and a leg. This is not always necessary. There is an unlimited number of young people who have grown up with the internet and are well versed in using it. This is not to discredit IT guys and computer scientists. There are jobs that cannot be done without them, but simple web design and creating You Tube videos can be done with the help of young people.

This, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to get young people involved in politics. Internet media is part of what captured my interest in politics. The amount of information on the internet is endless and the more voices added to the online discussion the better. 

-Looking ahead, how do you foresee politics mixing with your education once college begins?

As my education progresses, I intent to pursue a degree in economics or political science. I am fascinated by public policy and our national economy. I intend to go to college with the goal to make a positive impact in American politics. I see this as a vital time to get involved and I hope to make it a lifelong project. 

I intend to become more involved in grassroots movements and campaigns that I feel support a progressive message that will better our country. I hope that my college education adds structure and perspective to my political involvement.  

-Are you currently involved with groups or friends looking to involve others from your age group in politics?

I have recently become more involved with Health Care for All Minnesota (HCAMN). I have begun working with the organization to get HCAMN’s information on YouTube. Most recently, I filmed a speech about Single Payers opposition delivered by Kip Sullivan to HCAMN’s East Metro Chapter in St. Paul.  

I have also been in contact with HCAMN’s Roseville chapter, Roseville Area Advocates for Minnesota Heath Plan (RAAMHP). There, I am working on creating a Facebook page, helping to design their logo, and setting up a newsletter for the local chapter that will remind members of upcoming meetings and events.

By bringing this information online, I hope to make this subject more relatable to people my age. I also believe that making a web series on You Tube and utilizing Facebook will make the material more accessible to people in rural Minnesota who may not have a chapter in their area but still want the information.