Why Not You?

The DNC Youth Council convenes

The Democratic National Committee’s Youth Coordinating Council — informally referred to as the Youth Council — became an official part of the Democratic National Committee in 2005. This council was charged with the hefty goal of increasing engagement among America’s youth within the Democratic Party.

No big deal.

But despite the weight of the challenge, the Youth Council has succeeded in creating a path for those who are under the age of 36 find an avenue for leadership within the larger Democratic Party.

Here’s how it works: Youth Council members aren’t necessarily youths themselves, but should have experience in political activism, preferably with an emphasis on youth engagement. Knowledge of the DNC and its structure is also helpful. Members should have a strong working relationship with their state party and state DNC members, as well as other progressive organizations. It’s also highly recommended that members be involved in other activities (law, veterans’ issues, and base-vote constituencies, for example).

Members of the Youth Council are highly engaged in Democratic politics and actively serve in recruiting and fielding candidates for local offices.

That’s the group that convened today. Martín Diego Garcia, Director of Campaigns for the Latino Victory Project, opened the Youth Council’s DNC breakout group by getting straight to the point:

“Running for office is not easy, but I’m here to tell you that it is possible.”

Garcia went through the audience, polling them on what they believe the ideal candidate for office in the United States looks like. Most people agreed that their ideal candidate is a married, stable professional who is engaged within their community.

For Garcia, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Why not you? He challenged.

He went on to encourage members of the audience to view themselves as change agents fit to lead the Democratic Party, saying:

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that it’s not your turn. Don’t ever let anyone tell you it’s not your time; it’s always your time.”

With an almost nervous intelligence, Catalina Velásquez, director of Young People For, spoke on a panel about her unapologetic approach towards being an undocumented, trans college student at Georgetown University.

“My family was deported during my first semester at Georgetown University.”

For Velásquez, her life’s work stems from both her identity and her experience with her families deportation.

“This work is about my existence and the existence of 11.2 million undocumented immigrants, of which 400 thousand are black and 267 thousand identify as trans or queer,” said Velásquez.

All in all, both Garcia and Velásquez push themselves everyday to help young people — especially those who are under-represented — find their voice within the Democratic Party. They’re not just our future—they’re our present, too.

For more information on the Youth Council, visit their site: https://www.democrats.org/people/young-people-and-students

— Lou McDonald