Common Cause Launches National Media Program To Highlight Young POCs’ Experience With American Political System

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Common Cause Alliance for Emerging Power announces “Stories of Democracy,” a national media and journalism initiative that provides young people of color with an opportunity to communicate their unique experiences with America’s political system.

Launched on National Voter Registration Day, “Stories from Democracy” will work with youths across the country to help them tell their stories through written articles/op-eds, audio/video media, and/or social media series. 

“Our young people’s creative inspiration combined with a passion for fixing systems that are not living up to the high ideals we claim as a nation is the motivation behind Stories of Democracy,” says Karen Hobert Flynn, president of Common Cause and the Common Cause Education Fund.

“More than any previous generation, young voters today simply want things to work the way they are supposed to, for everyone, not a privileged few. They are less partisan, less willing to engage in so-called culture war issues that divide people, and more willing to work together, regardless of background or life experience, to find solutions, according to a range of research on youth.”

Participants’ media will focus on one of three core nonpartisan themes — voter suppression/voting rights, youth engagement, social justice, and down ballot races — while centering on their unique perspective when it comes to democracy. Participants will be paid a stipend and will have their work published on Common Cause’s digital and social platforms, as well as those of its media partners. 

Common Cause will accept submissions beginning Oct. 1, 2022 through Jan. 10, 2023. Submissions must be original work created by the participant.

The interest form to join the program can be found here.

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