Teenagers who aren’t plugged in won’t vote
While I always find a couple of ridiculous letters in the Metro section, I nearly had to turn my rap music off on Monday. Kerry Schumacher in his letter ”Hormone-Driven Voting” not only stereotyped seventeen year olds, but condescended to the level of his own imaginations.
It was only after I put down my Doritos and my bong was I able to see this. Following a marathon of “Flavor of Love”, I had some thoughts. How much Calculus, Economics, and World History have fifty year-olds retained since high school? After four years at SLUH and taking part in “Issues Day”, I am convinced that many sixteen-year olds are less ignorant than some people I have met or that write to this newspaper.
Now, not all teenagers are as well informed as others, but that is true of any generation (and perhaps equal interest in hair coloring?) However, does it make sense to say that the teenagers who don’t care are not proactive in registering? I personally know many intelligent individuals who haven’t registered and yet know more about political issues than most adults. I think those that fall into your offensive claim will be of little worry.
If the seventeen year-olds of certain counties in Florida were able to vote, what may have happened or have been prevented? What about 2004? Personally, I am not a supportive of Barak Obama, but the youth movement he has created should give you a clue. If you’re like the majority of Americans, you should see my point.
Nick Calcaterra
St. Louis City
(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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It’s the fact that a 17 year old doesn’t have the life experiences and trials of someone who is older and more knowledgeable. At that young of an age they may have book smarts but are in their dreamy state of how they believe the world can be and that they can make a difference and are all for change. When you’re 40 and older you realize things are a little different and you have a broader perspective about life and have been through the experience of losing loved ones and having to support yourselves and families; something a 17 year old has no idea of what it is like.