Youth Perspective on Activism
I really had to stop and think about the role of youth in social activism. I never really thought about the unique perspective that youth have on youth issues. I am used to thinking of youth activists in the adult role of global human rights activists. Having been in groups since I was a teen, I realized that I took on the position that an adult would take. In Taft's example of the different ways that adults and youth focus child labor issues, I found myself somewhat confused. I would, and have, taken the position that child labor should be stopped, but the youth worker organization is more concerned with their rights like improving working conditions and having time for school (57). It never occurred to me that child workers may want to work, and simply need better conditions to work in. Totally mind-blowing...
This made me rethink the groups that target youth like Amnesty International and Invisible Children. Following the same example in Taft's book, I am wondering if say the child soldiers that IC fights for would prefer to have better conditions during war instead of being rescued from it. I don't know if I would agree with that, but I am wondering if it is adults pushing for this instead of really being what the children want. As far as AI goes, I noticed that the youth section still seems to take on the adult view, but gives youth-centered activities (remixing the song) or puts youth on the same level as adults. It still doesn't address a youth perspective about the same human rights issues. I hope that all made sense.
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