Young adults discuss political climate

 

A panel of young adult advocates at the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference discussed some of the motivations of youth advocates in community organizations, the impact of the current political environment, the inclusion of diverse voices, the role of social media, their visions for community and the need for accessibility at protests.

Fenrir Close, organizer with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), moderated the discussion.

Panelists were Bella Rossi, a Western Washington University senior studying social justice and climate change; Jada Richardson, a senior social work major at Eastern Washington University (EWU) and member of NAACP Spokane's Youth Council, and Li Velasco, director of education and manager of Nuestras Raíces' youth engagement program, L.U.N.A.A (Latinos Unidos eNAcción Alianza).

Fenrir: In the current political climate, what are the biggest hurdles for building community with young adults?

Bella sees a lack of equity and diversity in accepting all kinds of people in community spaces. Given that many spaces she is in are predominantly white youth, she called for talking about issues with the people they affect.

Aware that many fear sharing feelings and being vulnerable, she invited courage to have authentic discussions.

Fenrir: How do groups incorporate diversity?

"We need to be okay with being uncomfortable, so other voices are heard," Bella said. "It's possible to make choices different from those our ancestors made."

Jada said diverse spaces do exist across Washington, pointing out that they are intentional.

"It's a choice not to invite people to diversify a group in 2026," she said. "When it comes to creating community, Gen Z is a spectrum, yet some believe they must fend for themselves."

Jada said her generation discusses the importance of community and what it looks like, aware that for past generations, community was where some experienced the greatest harm.

"How do we redefine community? What are our expectations of each other and ourselves?" Jada asked.

From her work with students and their families, Li, who is Mexican American, finds community interrupted in today's political climate.

Many wonder if it is safe to be just anywhere or to speak Spanish in public. Students who want to be part of movements wonder if it is safe for them or their families.

Fenrir: Has social media activism helped or hindered in person organizing?

Bella, who uses social media in running a club, said social media is not a marketing tactic that reliably draws people to an in-person space. She finds that the lack of in-person interactions in social media may mean some feel discomfort or fear being together in person.

Despite that, Bella hopes "for collective action in which we all come together."

Jada loves social media, especially TikTok.

"It allows us to curate our feed to choose our issues," she said. "There are many social justice issues in our country and world, but on social media we can decide which we will engage in."

She said it makes it easy for young people to organize and draw a large crowd of like-minded people.

"If it went away, it would be like organizing in the civil rights era without social media," she said. "Our ancestors did not have it and look at what they did. We should not rely on it as the only way to connect with others. Organizing on social media needs to be partnered with organizing in real life, because social media might not be forever, but people are forever."

Li said word of mouth is important and "how we make things happen." In announcing events, organizers today post a flier but do not give the location except to those who sign up.

"We need to converse with people who may feel threatened. It may be uncomfortable," Li said, "but we need to think of how issues affect people."

Jada is cautious because of how social media drowned the public with stories of Black people during the height of the Black Lives Matter in 2020 and 2021.

"In 2026, Black stories are watered down, so I'm wary of sharing my story," she said, explaining that she will express her values by voting and in conversations.

Fenrir: What is your vision for the community you want to build and what is needed to work towards it?

Bella said, "I want to see a world that is safe and healthy for everyone no matter the color of your skin, your culture or how you were raised."

As an educator, she wants to teach youth to connect to nature and each other, and to "understand our role in this world and lead with our hearts to make change possible. We need to go out and be uncomfortable."

Jada realizes that "beloved community" is a theory.

"In reality, it's hard to be in community with people who are anti-Black, anti-Indigenous or hate immigrants and gay people," she said. "To build community, we must deconstruct and decolonize our own minds. We all have biases. To be in space together, we need to recognize our flaws. It starts with self-reflection and internal work. We need to be in spaces together, to be in relationships with one another and to challenge one another. No one can exist alone."

Jada is uncertain about where the world is going or how to share spaces.

"There is a lot to do to get to where we need to be," she added, "but I believe we have the tools to get there."

Li said it's hard for people to consider what they want community to look like when they are surviving day to day.

"I want community. It can't happen when we leave people out, but it happens in Spokane and all over the world," Li said.

Jada added that to have community people and families need to thrive not just survive. "When we are thinking about how to make it to the next day, we do not think about how to be family together."

Fenrir: "How do youth know who is being left out?"

Li called for looking at what groups people are reaching out to and to make a conscious effort to be open to everyone.

Fenrir: What are concrete first steps for involving young people in their community?

Bella believes community is necessary for survival.

"When we are disconnected from our body and mind, we need to go outside and walk, be with community, hug trees and love people around us. Life is ours to protect, honor and harvest. I tell young people not to give up."

Jada said, "Showing up is a great first step. I see people here I see everywhere, at the MLK rally and service. Go to meetings, rallies, city council meetings, connect with people on social media or in person or talk over coffee. The biggest thing is to show up even if it's inconvenient. Go in person or online. Make your voice heard."

Li advised youth to join the youth groups at NAACP Spokane, Nuestras Raíces or PJALS and ask how they can help the community or be advocates.

"There are many different ways to help. They can create social media or go to protests," Li said. "Find what you can do at this moment."

Jada said, "We all have different roles in the revolution. Some march, some write, some make infographics, some can speak well in a crowd. We do not have to do the same thing as long as we all do something."

Bella said, "Organizing is an act of grace and love and a way to influence the world."

Questions from the audience led to discussion of making spaces and protests accessible for people who have disabilities or want to avoid getting sick.

"Activism spaces are often for the able-bodied," said Jada. "We need to look at where we hold events and talk with the communities affected."

Fenrir noted "we won't be able-bodied forever, so we need to make events accessible for everyone."

To watch the video of this panel discussion, click here.