Ypulse Guest Post: Millennials Changing America

Ypulse has partnered with Alexander Steed (Alex), a Gen Yer planning an ambitious journey across the U.S. to interview other young activists who are tapping into technology to help create social change. This is the first of a series of posts or really dispatches we hope to run as he makes his way across the USA.

Millennials Changing America: The Next Generation of Organizing

From October through November 2008, I will travel to over 30 cities across the United States to meet, interview and report how young people are using the Internet to leverage their social and political power. I will be recording and reporting upon my progress, find myself in touch with nearly 750 young people along the way, and I am in the process of looking for businesses and organizations to partner with.

When I was a teenager, I was always inspired by interesting, accessible stories about what other young people were doing to better the world. Now I'm trying to contribute to that same narrative as a self-proclaimed millennial activists. Also known as social citizens, millennial activists are, according to social entrepreneur and writer Allison Fine, "young people ages 15-29 who practice a nascent model of civic participation that combines immersion in social causes, idealism, digital fluency."

I intend to examine the methodology of various politically and socially energized young people, contacted through various activist networks, and to listen to, record and share their stories with present and future doers. I will use a blog rich in video and audio to share my discoveries and analysis. Working with socially and millennial-interested websites like epolitics, Future Majority, Change.org, Ypulse, and others, I plan to share this content with and contribute to as many relevant outlets and individuals as possible.

In my posts, readers can expect to read, watch, and listen to the testimonies of young activists on the ground discussing what inspires them, what tactics work best, and why they feel compelled to engage.

You've heard folks discuss what it is the millennials care about, why they take action, and how we engage. The time has come for us to explain ourselves, in our own words, for our own information, entertainment, and inspiration.

This trip costs a bit of money. Gas alone is predicted to cost around $2,800. I'll need to eat and buy some equipment and pay some tolls.

Small, person-to-person donations are super appreciated. Further, I am looking for businesses or organizations with an appreciation for social responsibility to come on as underwriters. If this is something you, your company, or organization might be interested in, please email me here.

Categorized under: Web, Youth Media

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