KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New, young voices are rising up in the call to get people to vote in the general election in November.
Amayia Williams, an 18-year-old senior at Platte County High School in the Northland, and Riyan Jones, a 15-year-old sophomore at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City, are part of that growing chorus. They are facing an uphill battle as they try to convince their peers to vote.
MarketWatch released a survey earlier this month of more than 1,000 African Americans under the age of 30. The results showed that 31% said they probably will not vote, while 47% said they usually do not vote because they believe their vote does not matter.
It is discouraging news to Williams and Jones, but they are not giving up.
“Because whether we realize it or not, the laws that are put into place now do affect us as youth,” Jones said.
Williams will vote for the first time in November. She is registered and encouraging other teens her age to vote.
“Go to the polls and vote because your voice does matter; it may not seem like it because we're young, but we are the future. We are the next generation,” Williams said.
George Floyd’s death at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis ignited Jones' commitment to social justice and equality. She was also inspired by her grandmother, Vera Adams, who faced discrimination in the 1950s and 60s but fought for equality until finally getting the right to vote.
Jones participated in Black Lives Matter protests on the Country Club Plaza in June and joined the Kansas City political and civil rights group, Freedom Inc.
She is tired of so much division and believes her political involvement will eventually lead to harmony.
“As a young person as well as the people in my generation, we're realizing that we need to build a bridge between communities and come together," Jones said.
Williams was motivated to vote by her grandfather, Clyde Williams, the former NAACP President in Saline County, Missouri, who passed away earlier this year.
She also pointed to inspiration she received from early civil rights leaders who fought for and won increased equality and opportunities for African Americans.
“I believe it's definitely important because over the years, women weren't even allowed to vote, and I think it's a privilege that I get to vote now,”Williams said.
The two teens will find out in November if they were able to convince peers who protested for change to go to the polls and vote.
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