All scheming aside, America must elect a true leader

by Julia Sallo '11

Monday March 24, 2008

The political situation in our country today is remarkably reminiscent of the situation in 1968 America. President Lyndon Johnson’s popularity had dropped enormously. Chants such as “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?” were representative of the blame placed on the president for the horrific situation in Vietnam. Similarly, today, President Bush’s approval ratings sit around 30%. The War in Iraq is a major point of contention and one of the biggest issues of the upcoming presidential election.

1968 was marked by the campaign of a tenacious and gifted leader. Entering the race in March, Senator Bobby Kennedy devoted himself to his campaign for the people, running on his commitment to pull out of Vietnam. Unlike other candidates, Senator Kennedy was known for campaigning in the streets with average Americans and inspiring hope. After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Senator Kennedy went into a poor African American neighborhood in inner city Indianapolis, against the best wishes of his staff. He spoke to the heartbroken Americans as equals. This speech is credited with the prevention of riots.

Senator Kennedy inspired the youth of America. Even beyond Senator Kennedy, the political and social climate of the 60s inspired action. 1968 was marked by the violent Columbia riots and the formation of Students for a Democratic Society. Students were outraged and taking action.

But in many ways, 2008 is not 1968. Alarming increases in the power and influence of big business, as well as unprecedented consumerism, have marked the past 40 years. The youth of America today is not the inspired crew of the 60s. This is largely due to the comforts of our generation, including iPods, Internet, and parental financial support. Instead of rallying in the streets and protesting war, many young people today are more likely to add a “causes” Facebook application than actually engage in education and action.

In a recent New York Times article, columnist Tom Friedman referred to our generation as Generation Q – the quiet generation. He praised us for our idealism but questioned our ability to be organized audibly about a cause we believe in. We should work to channel our idealism and outrage about political issues such as health care and global warming into action. We can’t save the world with mass emails and blogs. Senator Bobby Kennedy did not have his enormous student fan base in Facebook “One Million Strong” groups. He had devoted people marching with him in the streets, speaking out for civil rights and against the Vietnam War.

Immediately following Senator Kennedy’s win in the California Primary, he was assassinated. Posthumously, his legacy as a spirited leader has lived on. In the past 40 years Americans have been subjected to unfortunate presidencies marked by war and international conflict. It is time to act up against these things. With an impending presidential election, it is more important than ever to use our citizen rights. Unfortunately, many students are more likely to support a candidate because of a friend’s leanings than actually research the candidate’s position. American youth should sign off the Internet, research their candidates, and get behind a determined leader who will step up to the plate on important political issues in this country.
Much of the primary debate has revolved around what kind of a politician Americans want as their president. But according to the Oxford English Dictionary, a politician is a “schemer or plotter,” “a self-interested manipulator.” The past two terms of President George W. Bush fit the concept of a “schemer,” as we entered into war because of international oil and big business money. As we make our decision about whom we want as the next president, we must actively seek a statesman or a leader.

Recently, Senator Edward Kennedy endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the inspiring leadership of the Kennedy family.

“There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier,” Kennedy said. “He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president, who was widely respected in the party.” “And John Kennedy replied: ‘The world is changing. The old ways will not do. It is time for a new generation of leadership.’ ”

But all politics and “scheming” politicians aside, we must elect a president who will be a leader. And no matter where young voters’ allegiances lie, this year’s presidential candidates need their support. Today’s youth must be as engaged, active, and inspired as the youth of the 60s. We have an opportunity to elect a leader who will follow in the footsteps of Bobby Kennedy. And we need to embrace that opportunity.