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Politically, are you an A, B or C?By SARAH WHEATON© St. Petersburg Times published October 14, 2002 In Zimbabwe, political awareness and involvement can leave you vulnerable to violence and intimidation. In the United States, it can help you get into college. Zimbabwean young people (and adults, for that matter) had every reason not to get involved in their country's elections earlier this year There were 22 election-related deaths from Jan. 1 through March 12, according to a CNN report. Many young Floridians have their own reasons to be uninterested in the state's upcoming elections, though not as compelling as those of their counterparts in the southeast African country.
Kid A, for Apathetic in the truest sense of the word. Some people just do not care about politics. Some may not realize the potential impact that public policy could have on their lives, while others may simply see politics as too dry or boring to hold their attention. Kid B, for Busy. School presents so many stresses and time-consuming activities that for some students, Berson explains, a lack of political awareness might be an "issue of survival." Getting to school sometimes before the sun is up, mounds of homework and extracurricular sports and clubs all contribute to physical exhaustion that may not leave any room for students to follow politics. Kid C, for Cynical. Students with a jaded view of politics sometimes choose not to take action because they have a "sense that I can't make a difference," Berson says. Kids often feel they cannot compete with the powerful, well-connected adults who seem to dominate politics. What can teachers and parents do to eliminate this apathy alphabet? According to Berson, different approaches work for different types. For Kid A, he says, teachers must "work hand in hand with students," giving them a reason to care by "building rationale into the educational process." One way of accomplishing this is to focus on issues at school about which students tend to have strong feelings. "Education is very political -- yet the voice of children is relatively unheard," says Berson. Zero-tolerance policies, the FCAT, vouchers and the status of Bright Futures Scholarships are all subjects that evoke passionate responses in many students, and they are relevant to upcoming school board and/or statewide elections. Voters also will have the opportunity to decide whether or not classes with fewer than 25 students at the elementary school level should be guaranteed under the Florida Constitution. However, engaging students in social action doesn't have to be limited to official ballot issues. Policies specific to a school, no matter how trivial they might seem to adults, are appropriate fodder for classroom discussion. Making a presentation to the administration about the dress code is just as important as writing a letter to a member of Congress regarding Everglades protection, as long as the issue matters to you. Teachers can help Kid B using similar methods. Since Bs don't have time to pursue political activities outside school, opportunities should be created for them in the classroom. In addition to discussing relevant issues, Berson suggests, teachers can integrate other skills needed for social action into their lesson plans, such as using political speeches or debates when teaching persuasive writing in English classes. Kid C is unlike Kids A and B. These kids might have followed politics at one time but grew frustrated by what they saw. Berson says teachers need to focus on politicians who are behaving ethically and who are making a difference, and they do exist. "If we were totally corrupt, we wouldn't be able to function the way that we are," he says. State Rep. Sara Romeo, D-Tampa, might be an appropriate example of a public servant in politics for all the right reasons. Before running for office, Romeo ran a nonprofit program that promoted art education for children. In 2000, the first year of her term, Romeo found out she had a brain tumor. She did not have it removed until the session was over. Then, the next year, she developped breast cancer. She only missed a week after her lumpectomy. "Honestly, I wasn't trying to be brave. It was just extremely important for me to do this job," Romeo told reporters. Although mainstream politicians may disillusion some, relatively idealistic groups such as the Green Party have attracted a significant youth following. Berson suggests that politicians not only examine the popularity of the Greens, but also make a greater effort to reach out to young people. Politicians need to use the Internet and start making appearances where students hang out, such as the YMCA or recreation centers, Berson said. "How many kids on Friday night say, 'I'm gonna go down to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Center to hear a politician talk?' " To combat the perception that politicians "talk at you," they need to discuss societal and community issues facing young people, and follow up on the discussions. David Lee, 22, lives in Treasure Island and works as a political analyst on various Pinellas County campaigns. His interest in politics first developped when he was 11, during the Gulf War. He says that young people are the "most underrepresented group" in the country. Lee points out that while seniors have AARP, African-Americans have the NAACP and women have NOW, there is no major, nationwide interest group for kids and young adults. It is vital for us to get involved and voice our views, he says. Fanchon Patterson, 15, a 10th-grader at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, says politics are boring and because most politicians stretch the truth so much, there is no point in trying to pay attention. "They make up some stupid junk," she says. In addition to telling the truth more consistently, politicians could engage kids by incorporating comedy into their speeches, she says. Fanchon also suggests she and other students would enjoy reading a book in class about "politicians gone wild," or an inside perspective about what really goes down on the campaign trail and in government. (Note: Trail Fever by Michael Lewis just might be the type of book Fanchon is looking for.). The recent tour of Africa by Bono, lead singer of the band U2, and Paul O'Neill, U.S. Treasury Secretary, is an example of a topic that can bridge the age gap in discussions about politics. The joint trip by the "suit" and the "star" could provide an opportunity for kids and parents to discuss issues involving people to whom both generations can relate. Editor's note:During the school year, the St. Petersburg Times offers special stories geared to students who are using the newspaper in their classrooms. (Of course, you don't have to be in the classroom to read them!) This year the Newspaper in Education series recognizes that you're never too young to pay attention during election season, even if you're not old enough to vote! Primary elections for state and local races took place Sept. 10; the general election is in November. Don't worry. Election 2002: Who cares? You should won't lecture you, but it will aim to inform you about the candidates and how their ideas might affect you, introduce you to young candidates and even younger politically minded teenagers, and suggest ways to be involved in the election process before you can cast a ballot. Just think how prepared you'll be by November. About the author
About Newspaper in EducationThe St. Petersburg Times devotes news space to NIE features throughout the year, including this classroom series. The Times' NIE department works with local businesses and individuals to enrich the classroom experience by providing newspapers, supplemental guides and educational services to schools in the Tampa Bay area. To let us know what you think about this series, or to find out how you can become involved in NIE, please call (727) 893-8969 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8969. For past stories, check out www.sptimes.com/nie and click on the Kids Only area.
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Sarah Wheaton, 18, served on the 2000-2001 X-Team and was editor in chief of her school newspaper at Palm Harbor University High, where she graduated from the International Baccalaureate program. She calls herself a political junkie (one of her favorite TV shows is Crossfire), has volunteered with local campaigns and participated in the Presidential Classroom program, attending the presidential inauguration in 2000. She says her interest in politics began with her first experience of censorship of a student publication. Sarah is a freshman at George Washington University studying political science.
