This snapshot was gathered in conjunction with the Museum on Main Street program at the Smithsonian Institution and its "Stories from Main Street" initiative. The project is intended to capture Americans' impressions and stories about their small-town and rural neighborhoods, waterways, personal memories, cultural traditions, work histories, and thoughts about American democracy. This story is from a group of narratives inspired by the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America."
Cameron (00:00): For my age group, specifically, I would say it's kind of hard for our voices to get heard because mainly the majority of the legislators are older men, so they have less of an opinion towards us. They don't really care for our thoughts. That's what makes us want to be involved. At my school, I'm in the advocacy club where we want our voices to be heard. We go to the state capital.
(00:24): Most recently, I think three days ago, there was an education day where we went to the state capital Brophy and the sister school, Xavier, and we had our voices heard. We talked to legislators about education for people who are minorities and stuff like that. I think it's really important to us as we're getting older, because we're all about to graduate and go to college, and I think it's really important for our future.
(00:48): I think voting is the most important thing for being a US citizen, because that's the most important thing, especially being 18, coming up into the society. Voting is super interesting. It's definitely an experience that everyone wants to have, to know about, and learn about. I'm really looking forward to going to the polls or even having the mail-in ballot. Everything about it is interesting to me, to finally get my own voice heard after waiting 18 years.
Asset ID: 2022.34.03.ab
