x
Breaking News
More () »

Youth activism on the rise

This Thursday night, News Center Maine will air a second forum as part of our series Listen To ME. We're focused on addressing concerns about school safety brought up by Maine students.

Many of those who have been a part of our Listen to ME forums have also taken part in the "March for our Lives" movement, inspired by the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

The involvement of so many young people is being compared to the protest movement of the 1960's.

The March for our Lives protests, one of the largest in recent history was fueled by social media and a strengthening youth base.

RELATED: #ListenToME | Giving Maine teens a voice

“They have been informed by the activism of black lives matter, the activism of feminism.” Professor Kim Simmons teaches Sociology and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Southern Maine.

“In that space of helping to scaffold activism, we have to find the ways of bridging, knowing how the problem is, knowing how hard things are, knowing what it feels like to experience the suffering or the grievance, to what are the steps that it takes to work with other people to make it different.”

To make a major change, Simmons says at least 3.5 percent of the population must come together with a common goal.

A clear example of that unfolded 50 years ago with protests against the Vietnam War and for Civil rights. American unrest was loud and clear. Those in power had no choice but to hear those voices.

Inside USM’s Multicultural Center, student Gaylon Handy shares his struggles with getting activism going.

RELATED: #ListenToME: Meet the student panelists

“No one wants to listen to us. We constantly do activism, five people want to listen, out of a thousand.”

In a colorfully decorated room inside the center, Handy and other students find the space to talk about issues: from Pride to race to gender and civil rights, it’s a safe area where everyone can be heard without judgment. Graduate Assistant Kate O’Connor helps them navigate their way.

“I think it’s safe to say this generation is going to make some epic changes.” And O’Connor points to the internet, social media as the major catalyst in the recent youth-led movements.

“You know 15 years ago if you wanted to get the word out on something, you had to make posters, you had to make zines, you had to make tee-shirts. today you just have to make one quick sentence and hit submit and you reach an audience of thousands.”

She is quick to give the USM students advice about getting involved, demanding that their voices are heard.

“Don’t wait for your friends or your cohorts to start a project, an activist movement. Little changes within yourself can make big accomplishments. Just one act, by one person, is hugely impactful and when you multiply it by more bodies, that impact grows, but you don’t need more than one body to make a difference.”

As for attaining the activism numbers of previous generations? O’Connor and Professor Kim Simmons agree could take some time.

“One of the challenges,” Simmons says, is “building a movement big enough that truly a lot of people are participating but that still has enough mission and focus.”

O’Connor says she is hopeful. “I really hope that the voices and the actions, primarily the actions continue to grow.”

Listen to Me part 2 airs this Thursday, April 5th, at 7:00PM.

This time, we'll hear from the people in charge of keeping students safe: police, superintendents, guidance counselors, teachers, and even a nurse.

Before You Leave, Check This Out