Questions asked in the interview:
- Do you think it is important to vote? Why or why not?
- How do you feel about the state our country has been in for the last four years?
- As a member of Generation Z, do you feel like your voice matters?
- Do you think it is important to stay informed of the current events? Why or why not? How do you feel about the current candidates?
Responses:
Satuna, 18
1) “Yes, I think voting is more important than ever before, especially when certain people in power are literally putting marginalized people’s lives and rights at risk. Also, voting is a privilege and a right that a lot of people had to fight for, so it’s important to voice your opinions for those who don’t necessarily have that privilege and right to do so.”
2) “For the past four years, the country has been a hot mess. In a sense, two major political parties believe are so drastic, that make the country more divided than it has ever before for a long time.”
3) “Yea being part of gen z, our voices matter. We are the future and the next leading leaders of the country.”
4)” Oh my god yes, it is so important to stay informed and educated especially at this time, because our society right now is very hyper-sensitive. It is both a good and bad thing, but I think hypersensitivity and awareness allow people to be held accountable for their wrongdoings and give people the opportunity to learn and unlearn. You need to know what’s going on around you, especially if you are a minority.”
5) “None of the candidates are hundred percent suitable enough to lead the country, but we do have to settle for someone and right now I’m settling for Biden, who at least believes in science, wants to protect woman’s and the LGBTQ community‘s rights, and ensure health care to people.”
Md Anindo, 18
1) “I think it’s important to vote because it’s important for us to voice our opinion for our future. Also, it helps the government know what we want.”
2)” I think the United States has had several issues for the last few years that we need to change. I think under President Trump we have seen a rise in racism and unequal rights.”
3)” I think our voices are the most important to matter because our generation will be the next to hit the workforce. Our voices have to matter for the better of the future.”
4) “Yes it’s important to stay informed because we need to bring change and the only way is to know what’s happening.”
5) “I think both candidates between trump and Biden are not the best. However, based on the last 4 years Trump has been running the reputation of the United States and all the other horrible things he has done. Biden is a slightly better candidate in my opinion.”
Sanjidah, 19
1)” I think it’s important to vote because everyone’s voices matter and it helps encourage more people to vote as it empowers people and allows them to participate in making changes to improve their country and their lives.”
2) “Since Trump’s presidency, all four years have proven to only create chaos among the nation and Trump’s fourth year of the presidency has really shown that with the way he has poorly handled many outbreaks of social injustice as well as a worldwide pandemic that resulted in 200,000 plus deaths.”
3)” As a member of Generation Z, I personally believe that our voice matters. Some of us may be young but we have been exposed to the way the world is that has matured us and shaped our perspectives and views. I feel like generation Z is a very powerful generation and when we have the power, we can make great positive changes.”
4)” I do believe that it is imperative for everyone to stay informed about current events as it affects everyone’s lives greatly. If you believe that one current event doesn’t affect you in any way, you have a great degree of privilege to believe so. Everyone must stay open-minded and informed at all times.”
5)” I think that Trump was a horrible president. As a businessman, his presidency was more about business than it was about making a great nation for his citizens. On the other hand, former Vice President Biden has also been a horrible person but is willing to make better choices than Trump for the next four years, and in that sense, Biden would be the better candidate as he the lesser of two evils.”
I was surprised by Satuna’s response when they stated, “It is both a god and bad thing, but I think hypersensitivity and awareness allow people to be held accountable for their wrong doings and give people the Opportunity to learn and unlearn”. I think this is a completely valid point. I also resigned with what they said about neither of the candidates are one-hundred percent suitable to lead the country.
I resonated with Md Anindo, when he says, “However, based on the last 4 years Trump has been running the reputation of the United States and all the other horrible things he has done. Biden is a slightly better candidate in my opinion.” This is why I decided to vote, because I wanted change. For the past four years we have been a laughing stock as a nation.
I agree with what Sanjidah said about Trump. Not only has Trump’s 4 years in office been chaotic, but he also failed to react quickly enough to Covid-19 and now more than 200,000 Americans are dead and the number is still rising. It’s time for a new face in Washington D.C.
one thing that surprised me was when Sanjidah said ” If you believe that one current event doesn’t affect you in any way, you have a great degree of privilege to believe so. Everyone must stay open-minded and informed at all times.” The best power you can have in this country is to stay informed.
I really think Sanjidah is a very realistic representation of our generation. She was very direct and to the point with what she had to say. And was not afraid to even call out the mistakes of her own candidate. “Vice President Biden has also been a horrible person but is willing to make better choices than Trump for the next four years”. And I feel like that’s something our generation collectively shares. The ability to NOT glorify who we support but to be raw and clear.