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WebLinks: Contexts for Exploring Visual and Verbal Texts |
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Chapter 8 - Debating Culture |
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As you read the following sites, explore why you think young people consistently fail to vote at the levels of older people. What would it take to get young people more involved politically? What issues affecting young people are not discussed by politicians?
http://www.rockthevote.com
Since it began in 1990, Rock the Vote—a movement founded by music industry insiders—has been working to register young voters and raise awareness of the need for the youngest voting generations to get involved. The organization has produced TV specials, concert tours, and public service announcements aplenty. It has also worked to get pro-voter legislation passed and has formed partnerships with other activist groups and a number of celebrities to further publicize its mission as well as inspire young people to get out and vote. Since its early days, the organization's mission has expanded—to cover freedom of expression in general—as has the breadth of its activities. You can read about what they're up to on their Web site.
Other organizations with similar missions:
Declare Yourself http://www.declareyourself.com/
Youth Vote Coalition http://www.youthvote.org/indexcf.cfm
http://www.civicyouth.org/quick/youth_voting.htm
Based at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy, CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) sponsors research into many aspects of youth culture and the issues young people face, and their Web site includes an extensive section on voting patterns. CIRCLE produces downloadable PDFs (called "Fact Sheets") chock-full of information about demographics and recent elections, all of which concerns young voters.
http://www.stateofthevote.org/survey/sect6.htm
When only 36% of voters between the ages of 18 and 25 turn up at the polls, it sends a message to the government. But what exactly is that message, and how does the government interpret it? This article, produced by the National Association of Secretaries of State, explores many of the reasons young people don't get involved, and what can be done about it. Not surprisingly, the authors argue that young people need more information, and it's up to schools, parents, and media outlets—not just the politicians themselves—to provide it.
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