★ In this story 03
Nearly 250 years ago, William Cross was just 15 when he served in the Revolutionary War, according to family and local histories. Beginning as a drummer boy, Cross eventually became a soldier, fighting at the Battle of Kings Mountain near the border of North and South Carolina. He was one of many young soldiers who took up arms against the British for the cause of liberty. Cross’ modern descendants may not be able to enlist in the military as young teenagers, but they can still participate in the democracy he so bravely fought to defend — and that’s precisely what a group of students in Philadelphia recently set out to do.
Teens Embrace Democracy
Teens representing a dozen-plus high schools in the City of Brotherly Love recently took to the streets, marching from LOVE Park to City Hall with signs and chants urging their fellow young Americans to vote in the midterms. The event was organized by PA Youth Vote, a nonpartisan group of students, teachers, and community members, in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia.
Hundreds of students reportedly turned out for the “Give Us a Ballot” march, which some used to protest against officials’ plans to close or combine nearly 20 schools in the city. “Shutting down the school doesn’t just mean shutting down a place for them to go to,” Messiah Stokes, a senior at Lankenau High School, said. “They’re going to be missing out on the bonds they had between students, their teachers, that feeling of a home.” It will be another year before Stokes is eligible to vote, but he wanted to encourage his fellow students to take advantage of their constitutional rights.
“I see youth who do care, youth who will fight for the America that fulfills its promises. I care about honesty, I care about our rights, I care about our voices, I care about our teachers,” said Maya Izzard, a Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts senior. “I care about America because I believe it can be better.”
Stokes emphasized the role of young people in shaping the future: “Throughout history, it’s always been the youth who stepped up, and they’re the ones who are being affected the most.” He added, “No matter what, the older generation cannot frame our future. We need to learn from them, look at their mistakes and [do better].”
History’s Young Americans
Young Americans have engaged in democracy and fought for change for generations. In the summer of 1903, 10,000 young teen textile workers — along with tens of thousands of other personnel — went on strike over poor working conditions related to wages. Hundreds of child workers marched from Philadelphia to New York to “expose the inhumanity of child labor,” KQED reported. While the young participants did not organize the march themselves, the event marked an important moment in youth activism and helped end inappropriate child labor standards.
In the 1960s, teen-led demonstrations played an impactful role in the Civil Rights Movement. In one such protest, Moton High School student Barbara Johns led a strike over unfair differences between black and white education.
Why This Matters
George Washington believed that young Americans played a crucial role in the success of the republic:
“A primary object of such a national institution should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic what species of knowledge can be equally important and what duty more pressing on its legislature than to patronize a plan for communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
By participating in demonstrations like the one in Philadelphia, today’s youth are putting the ideals of America’s first president into practice. Peaceful participation in American democracy is one of the most important ways to ensure the republic endures.
4 Questions
The story, in brief
Who organized the Give Us a Ballot march in Philadelphia?
The march was organized by PA Youth Vote, a nonpartisan group of students, teachers, and community members. It was held in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia. Hundreds of students from more than a dozen high schools reportedly took part.
Why did Philadelphia students march before the midterm elections?
The students marched to urge fellow young Americans to vote in the midterms and to take advantage of their constitutional rights. Some also used the event to protest plans by officials to close or combine nearly 20 schools in the city. Student speakers said they cared about rights, honesty, teachers, and having a voice in the future.
How have young Americans taken part in democracy throughout history?
Young Americans have engaged in democracy and fought for change for generations. The text points to teen textile workers who joined a 1903 strike and marched to expose the inhumanity of child labor, and to teen-led Civil Rights protests in the 1960s, including Barbara Johns leading a strike over unequal education. It also notes that William Cross served in the Revolutionary War as a teenager.
What does the Philadelphia student march say about youth and America's future?
Students at the march said young people are often the ones most affected by decisions, so they should help shape the future. The event is presented as an example of youth putting civic ideals into practice through peaceful participation in democracy. It argues that such participation is one of the most important ways to help the republic endure.
