A group of youth activists, some as young as 7 years old, marched into Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) office urging her to vote for the Green New Deal.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aims to eradicate the environmental impacts of climate change and has been referred to as “the most ambitious climate change effort that congress has ever considered” by The New Yorker. The Green New Deal strives for the usage of 100 percent renewable energy in the next 10 years as well as potential for a carbon tax and fossil fuel bans.
The Sunrise Movement is an advocacy organization that defines its mission as “an army of young people to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process.” The Movement posted a now viral video of the young advocates in Feinstein’s office on its Twitter last Friday.
The children, who explained why the Green New Deal is important to them, were met with great animosity when they begged Feinstein to vote to pass the Green New Deal. Feinstein reminded them that the Green New Deal would never pass among the Republicans in Congress and that her own environmental protection plan is the only one she plans to back.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I know what I’m doing. You come in here and you say, ‘It has to be my way or the highway.’ I don’t respond to that. I’ve gotten elected, I just ran, I was elected by almost a million-vote plurality,” Feinstein responded. “And I know what I’m doing. So, you know, maybe people should listen a little bit.”
Feinstein’s reactions have sparked outrage, mostly among other Democrats who have supported her in the past.
Critics are shocked that such a prominent political figure would disregard the voices of her constituency so blatantly, especially the voices of children.
This interaction raises a crucial discussion: If we cannot bring our concerns to those in political power, what is the purpose of democracy?
Feinstein boasts her experience and her plurality, but fails to acknowledge that these traits may be her greatest downfall. At 85 years old, Feinstein’s views on climate change are justifiably short-sighted. Her age and her lack of need to gain voter approval block her from being able to see how essential it is to listen to the voices that will be the most impacted by the decisions made.
We face this conflict on a smaller scale every day. At Lehigh, students voice their grievances with the administration on a daily basis with no response. With projects such as the Go Campaign and the Path to Prominence raising great controversy, it is essential that the administration hears the voices of the opposition.
As the future of Lehigh, student voices need to be at the top of the list of administration priorities. It is a consistent theme for those in power to talk passionately about wanting to make great change, and then upon obtaining power, disregarding the desires of those who supported them.
Feinstein represents issues that exist in all facets of power, but this issue hits close to home for students who often feel voiceless in the decisions being made for them that impact them more than anyone else.
Issues of the environment impact the future generations drastically more than those who are passing legislation, just as issues pertaining to Lehigh students impact current and future students much more than they do graduates and the administration.
Whether it be Lehigh, politics, the environment or anywhere in between, young people are the voices of the future. As those most impacted by legislation, it is the duty of those in charge to allow for open discussion and respect the voices of today’s youth. We and children are the future. Our voices matter and we deserve to be heard.
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5 Comments
One should not be surprised at the reaction of Speaker Feinstein. Power is what motivates her at this time as seen by her confrontation with President Trump over the wall. Both of them were relatively unconcerned with the repercussions of their snit on those left without pay/services.
Try not to be so concerned about what you can accomplish now. In time your generation will be in control; try to influence your generation and you will achieve more than if you irritate those of an older generation. Hope you do better than Trump’s generation.
Feinstein is my senator. But I’m certainly no fan of most of what she does.
I do, however, applaud her for arguing with those arrogant self righteous clueless brats.
This satire video probably reflects the mindset of how those brats have been coddled and “educated”
I loved the satire and the punchline. I actually looked at the Sunrise Movement (SM) video to compare the two. It reminded me more of the protests on the Lehigh Campus than the Alternative Math (AM) video. The kids of SM will probably grow up to be like their teacher? (the one old enough to vote). They will demonstrate and be adamant in demanding to enact what the believe to be right. Opponents will do likewise. Sen. Feinstein actually seems to want compromise actions Massive climate changes have occurred often on earth, adapt to survive. The current climate changes may be normal with a little help from mankind. It may not be possible to stop the changes. It may be better to anticipate the changes and plan to live comfortably with them. There will be “winners” and “losers”. Florida may start to disappear. http://www.thoughtco.com/the-year-without-a-summer-1773771
The New Green Deal is so bizarre that it may have been written by these children!! Feinstein was right to send them packing.
The New Green Deal will destroy our country which is the objective of these socialist idiots that are behind this stuff. It should be called The New Red Deal!!
Dianne was hella rude, but she’s also 85 and busy. If I were 85 and a US Senator I wouldn’t spend my limited time on earth schooling kids in representative democracy and parliamentary procedure either; you can find teachers for that. She actually gave it to them pretty straight: “You’re not my constituents.” They aren’t, not yet. They need to find some in the meantime.