Ready, Willing, and (with your help) Able

I was recently told an inspiring story by another Field Representative in the Kansas office, Mary Brown, which grabbed my attention and gave me hope.  Mary’s neighbor boy recently returned home from college for a weekend visit.  On arriving he noticed the Brown’s political campaign signs in their front yard.  The neighbor boy told his mother, “I don’t think the Brown’s are going to like me anymore because I do not agree with their political views.”   His mother laughed it off and soon told this to Don, Mary’s husband.  Instead of being upset, Don decided to invite his neighbor boy to walk door to door with him for a local conservative politician.  He thought that showing him how homeowners felt about our government, their local concerns, and what current office holders are doing wrong, would help him to understand the need for a liberty movement.

I was not only impressed, but inspired by his actions and feel we should all take a note from Don.  Instead of complaining about the youth in America, Don wanted to help educate the youth in America.   I wish that more people would act with the grace and understanding that Don did.  If more adults felt this way maybe more young adults would be more apt to share in our conservative beliefs, join our rallies, or simply research what we believe and why.

Recently our intern, Kara Evans, attended a conservative rally.  She was looking forward to attending this meeting, interacting with like-minded conservatives (young and old) and educating herself in the process.  When entering, she noticed that there were very few young conservatives in attendance.  Nevertheless, she walked into the room with confidence and excited for her weekend retreat.

As the weekend progressed, Kara recalls around five attendees asking her, “So, why are you here?” – referring to her age and recent graduation from high school.  When Kara mentioned that she would soon be interning for American Majority, the common reaction was first – a perplexed look, then silence, and finally a complete change of heart.  Kara continued to get these types of questions and blank stares throughout the weekend.  For this reason, Kara felt out of place and wondered if she should even have attended at all.

From my time spent with Kara, I have found that she is confident, well spoken, intelligent and exceptionally good at editing my grammar mistakes.  I believe it would take a lot to make her feel insecure.  As we discussed her weekend, I could definitely relate.   As a young conservative, I have felt this same type of judgment.

Just because we are young does not mean that we are uneducated, ungrateful, or swing voters.  If you feel we are uneducated…educate us.  If you feel we are lazy…give us responsibilities.  If you feel that we are clueless…clue us in.  We are longing to rise above the status quo and to exceed your expectations.

I fully understand how a lack in age can been seen as a lack in experience.  We ARE young and we ARE inexperienced, but that does not mean we are not ready, willing, and able. We have a lot to learn in life but with your help and patience we can win back this nation together.  After all we are all on the same team here.

I am not bashing on the generation before mine; in fact, I am doing the opposite.  I am beyond grateful for all of the hard work you all have done for the sake of liberty.  You guys have been the ones in the trenches and have graduated from the school of hard knocks.  You have fought in wars for our freedom, you have voted, campaigned, ran for office, and you have been the ones dealing with the ups and downs of our nation.   I cannot speak for my generation as a whole, but I am forever grateful and I feel that my generation has very big shoes to fill.  Yet, how can we be expected to live up to your standards when we are not expected to or even given the opportunity to help?

Sorry if it sounds like I am ranting, raving, or begging for acceptance.  I am just passionate about this topic.  Just think, if Kara and I, who are avid conservatives, felt that uncomfortable at conservative rallies, imagine how those who are “testing the conservative waters” would feel.  To quote Justin Williamson, intern for the Texas office, “Yesterday we were the volunteers, today we are the activists and campaign staff, but tomorrow we are the candidates.”