October 21, 2008

YM Blog-a-thon: Elections Edition

Posted by Jamilah King at 10:23AM

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It's that time again

Tomorrow, WireTap and YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia will launch our fifth youth media blog-a-thon. This time the topic is elections. It's happening from Wednesday, October 22 thru Wednesday, October 29.

Aside from an historic presidential election, filled with its own racist undertones, caricatures and myths, local state and county ballots are packed with frightening ballot initiatives. In California, voters will soon decide on harsher penalties for suspected youth offenders and whether teenage girls have the right to choose abortions.

From the press release:

We're calling all young bloggers (between the ages of 14-26) – along with any bloggers dedicated to writing about youth issues and youth media – to blog from October 22nd to October 29th about national and local elections taking place on November 4.

Here are some ideas to address in your blog posts. Feel free to come up with your own:

• What local and national issues are you concerned about this election season (i.e. health, education, the economy)? Why?

• Immigration raids have dramatically increased throughout the state of California and the nation, yet neither presidential candidate has said much on the issue. Why? And is their silence warranted?

• California’s Prop. 4, if passed, would prohibit a pregnant minor from having an abortion until 48 hours after their parent or guardian have been notified. How do you feel about the possible limitations of young women’s right to abortion? Do you think it is important for parents to have a say in the reproductive health of their children?

• Do you feel racism and sexism has played a big role in the election?

• Are you suffering from voter burn out this election season? Has it changed the way you look at the candidates?

• If you were elected President, what would (or wouldn’t) you do?

• Are you broke? How should our next president address the economy?

Have questions? Contact me: jamilah@wiretapmag.org

(If you want to get involved, just write a piece on your personal blog and send in a link. If you don't have a blog, just send me an email)