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The issues facing my generation often feel insurmountable: gun violence; climate change; systemic discrimination—it’s hard to focus on anything else.
But I know that change is possible.
A case study: Bordering Westheimer, Alief, and the Westside, Houston’s District F fills with vibrancy from the rich cultural heritage of the Viet, Chinese, Latinx, and African communities. Yet, there is a tense disquiet boiling within the district—an unease defined by an ever-increasing academic gap. Education is a force to be reckoned with. It's a passport to greater opportunity for working-class families, a weapon to enact change, and an avenue to equalize those within communities. The District F Office, Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor’s Office of Education all recognize the need for youth intervention and programming. However, we are missing a decisive factor in youth programming: civic engagement.
A crucial element of policy change, youth civic engagement catalyzes voting, participation in government, and well-informed perspectives. District F in Southwest Houston maintains a historically low voter turnout. In the election of November 7, 2017, precinct 428 had a voter turnout of 1.69% in electing school board trustees. Trustees play a powerful, crucial role in determining the budgetary needs of the youth, which affects students directly through afterschool programs, athletics, fine arts education, and teacher salary—components that keep young people off the streets. Current Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas, elected in 2019, has made significant strides in youth intervention. Her office debuted Houston’s youth conferences, established volunteer opportunities for students within Alief’s Super Neighborhood Council, and mentored students throughout District F. This effort must continue; Not only in District F, but throughout the city. To enable engaged citizens, one solution calls for a youth civic engagement department.
Through a centralized civic engagement program, council districts would be able to nurture and strengthen the next generation of leaders, community advocates, and civically engaged citizens—a step closer to closing academic gaps, increasing 18-25 voter turnout, and fostering resourceful citizens. The department would oversee the implementation of voter education through classroom visits, youth workshops, and voter registration in high schools. Additionally, the department will provide visionary leadership to promote cultural competency, educational programming, and diversity messaging, and serve as the central point of opportunity creation for youth, including student ambassadorship programs, youth councils, externships, and opportunities for career development in conjunction with Hire Houston Youth. Thus far, Fort Bend ISD’s Community and Civic Engagement Coordinator has proven value by increasing youth voters, highlighting the community’s history, and leading students to create meaningful policy change. A centralized civic engagement department would also oversee legal compliance with education and election codes, including the Texas Election Code, Senate Bill 3 from the 87th Texas Legislature, and Senate Bill 30, the Community Safety Education Act.
Government is a dual responsibility with elected officials and constituents. For youth, entering conversations of power is difficult and divisive. We now know the rhythms of decorum, the repeated statistical points, and our tense, generational disquietness. Uvalde, Buffalo, Santa Fe, Douglas, Ukraine, Roe. Events blink so fast, our hearts shake, and we are forced to move edge to edge, day by day. Legislation is difficult to change, but youth civic engagement is needed. One protest will generate short attention, but almost never sustained change. Dedicated civic engagement does—voting, attending town halls, attending city council meetings, testifying, registering voters, calling representatives, researching political candidates, keeping government accountable, and utilizing your tools of education to inform yourself on issues. I began my civic journey at the outset of my high school career. Powered by youth organizers within my community, I am proud to know that my youthful perspective has an impact on local policy, advocacy, and when voting on the ballot. To know that I can command the stage of discourse within the city, even if briefly, empowers me. To know that I have a voice in turning the tide within societies’ status quo is inspiring.
To the young people of Houston: Take the time and get engaged.
When we all do, we will see the world we want.
Tommy Wan, a native of Southwest Houston, advocates in the fields of youth civic engagement, environmental justice, voting rights, and local governance. He is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin.