INTRODUCING: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
2Digest
"Assembly-Required" hosted by Stacey Abrams, a voting rights advocate and author, delves into the crucial role of youth engagement in politics. The podcast emphasizes the need to listen to young voters and address their concerns, particularly regarding issues like gun violence, climate change, and affordable housing. The episode features interviews with Representative Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, and Haley Lixstein, a civic influencer, who share their experiences engaging young voters. They discuss the challenges of building trust in institutions, the importance of representation, and the need for a more inclusive approach to politics. The podcast explores strategies for addressing voter apathy, including listening to voters' concerns, providing tangible solutions, and engaging with them on social media platforms. It also highlights the importance of empowering young people in campaigns, giving them ownership over campaign messaging, and electing more women to public office. The episode concludes with a toolkit for listeners to get involved in politics and make a difference, providing resources for young voters and encouraging them to reach out to their elected officials.
Outlines
Engaging Young Voters: A Call to Action
This episode of "Assembly-Required" explores the importance of youth engagement in politics, highlighting the concerns of young voters, strategies for addressing voter apathy, and the need for greater representation in government.
The DNC and the Importance of Youth Vote
Stacey Abrams discusses the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, highlighting the importance of the youth vote in the upcoming election. She emphasizes the need to listen to young voters and address their concerns, particularly regarding issues like gun violence, climate change, and affordable housing.
Engaging Young Voters: A Conversation with Maxwell Frost and Haley Lixstein
Stacey Abrams interviews Representative Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, and Haley Lixstein, a civic influencer, about their experiences engaging young voters. They discuss the challenges of building trust in institutions, the importance of representation, and the need for a more inclusive approach to politics.
Addressing Voter Apathy and Encouraging Participation
Stacey Abrams, Maxwell Frost, and Haley Lixstein discuss strategies for addressing voter apathy, particularly among young people. They emphasize the importance of listening to voters' concerns, providing tangible solutions, and engaging with them on social media platforms.
Empowering Young People in Campaigns and Politics
Haley Lixstein and Maxwell Frost discuss the importance of empowering young people in campaigns. They advocate for hiring young people to manage social media accounts, providing them with resources and training, and giving them ownership over campaign messaging. They also discuss the importance of electing more women to public office and the need for greater racial and ethnic representation in government.
Toolkit for Action: Getting Involved in Politics
Stacey Abrams provides a toolkit for listeners to get involved in politics and make a difference. She recommends resources for young voters, tips for engaging with young people, and encourages listeners to reach out to their elected officials.
Keywords
Youth Vote
The voting power of young people, typically defined as individuals aged 18-29, who are increasingly recognized as a significant demographic in elections.
Civic Engagement
Active participation in public life, including voting, volunteering, advocacy, and other forms of political action.
Representation
The presence of individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities in positions of power, reflecting the composition of the population they serve.
Gun Violence
A significant public health issue in the United States, characterized by the frequent use of firearms in acts of violence, resulting in injuries and deaths.
Housing Crisis
A widespread shortage of affordable housing, particularly affecting low- and middle-income individuals and families, leading to homelessness and displacement.
Climate Change
A long-term shift in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities, leading to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise.
Social Media
Online platforms that facilitate communication and interaction among users, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, increasingly used for political engagement and information dissemination.
Democratic National Convention (DNC)
A quadrennial gathering of the Democratic Party, where delegates from across the country nominate candidates for president and vice president, and adopt the party platform.
Q&A
What are some of the key issues that young voters are concerned about in the upcoming election?
Young voters are deeply concerned about issues like gun violence, climate change, affordable housing, and the cost of living. They are also skeptical about whether voting will lead to meaningful change.
How can we address voter apathy, particularly among young people?
Addressing voter apathy requires listening to voters' concerns, providing tangible solutions, and engaging with them on platforms they use, such as social media. It also involves empowering young people in campaigns and giving them a voice in shaping policy.
Why is representation important in government?
Representation ensures that all communities are represented and heard when crafting legislation. It also helps to build trust in institutions and encourages greater participation in the political process.
What are some strategies for reaching unaffiliated voters?
Reaching unaffiliated voters requires having respectful conversations, understanding their concerns, and explaining how Democratic policies address their issues. It also involves building a broad coalition that includes diverse perspectives and experiences.
How can we address the issue of gun violence and encourage action?
Addressing gun violence requires electing progressive candidates who will fight for gun control and reform, educating Democrats about the need for bipartisan action, and building a movement that is stronger than the gun lobby.
Show Notes
Introducing Crooked’s newest podcast: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. The election is in the hands of Gen Z, a cohort of young Americans that’s diverse, creative, and—often—skeptical. This episode at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Stacey is joined by Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first member of Gen Z to be elected to Congress, and influencer Haley Lickstein, a leading voice on civic engagement among young people, to talk about how they’re working to get their peers involved.
Be sure to subscribe to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams on your favorite podcast platform, or on YouTube for the video version, and be sure to join Stacey next week as she continues to break down the issues and build up the solutions.
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