The DNC from the Perspective of Gen Z: Part 2
“3rd time’s a charm.” I think this saying perfectly sums up Day three of the DNC. From the warmth of familial love to the power found in unity, there was electricity throughout the city.
Wednesday, August 21st. The third day of the DNC. My dad and I awoke to the traumatic ringing of the alarms that wake us up every morning before school and work. But I didn’t find myself hitting the snooze button over and over. I jumped out of bed and threw on a navy blue skirt and tank top, wrapping my arms in an off-white satin button-down to cover up. I glided makeup brushes across my cheeks and lids, finishing off with the perfect pink lip stain. After drowning myself in a transporting scent of pistachio perfume, I was ready.
As my dad and I ran out of the house to catch an uber, I grabbed a chocolate coconut flavored protein bar. Luckily, traffic wasn’t as bad as we expected. We arrived to Mccormick Place with time to spare. As we checked in, people from all different backgrounds and reasons for attending the DNC filled the halls. A neon yellow-green wristband was taped around my wrist. It read, “McCormick Place DNC 2024.” This wristband still sits on my nightstand table. We file into the room marked “AAPI Caucus” and find seats right behind the fence dividing the “normal people” from the delegates. One day, I will sit in front of that fence.
The AAPI Caucus begins. Speakers ranging from business owners to lawyers to governors to senators filled the room with energy and excitement. I could feel the air buzzing with inspiration, a feeling so often lacking in the Asian community, especially when it comes to government and policy. At first, I was shy. My dad introduced me to important people, and all I could muster was a handshake and the simple sentence, “Hi I’m Maya; it’s nice to meet you.” This was how it went when I got a picture with New Jersey Representative Andy Kim. But as the inspirational aura of the room became thicker, so did my confidence. I went up to Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono and said I loved her “Kamala is Brat” pin. This sparked a conversation. I had a conversation with a senator! By the end of our encounter, I proudly asked for a picture. In just 90 minutes, my entire persona switched.
For the next hour, I grabbed a chicken salad for lunch and wandered around the freezing building. I was so tempted to buy an $80 DNC hoodie simply because of the goosebumps that covered my skin. I ordered a cup of hot coffee and listened to Michelle Obama’s speech again. Her voice echoed through my airpods, transmitting a spark that traveled from the tubes of my ears to the tips of my toes. It was now time for the second event. I walk into a room marked “Youth Organizing Training.” Expecting to walk into a mass of students and young adults, I was disappointed to see less than 30 participants, half of which stood on a thin rope between Gen X and Boomers. But I held my head up and confidently took my seat.
As the presentation droned on, my eyes scanned the room, just looking for anyone remotely close to my age. Where was everyone? For the past few months I’ve been writing about the participation and excitement of Gen Z in politics. Was it all a delusion? An image I created in my mind because my fyp (for you page on social media) was filled with politics, expecting everyone else’s to be as well? But the presentation said otherwise. VP Harris’ campaign has focused on younger people. They’ve traveled America, listening to young people and reaching out on social media. They really are trying and all it takes is a little more trust on our end. By the end of the presentation, I left with two notable experiences.
One. As I spoke to a student at New Jersey City University, she asked to interview me for TikTok. I answered the question, “Why is it important for young individuals to vote and participate in politics?” Easy answer. It’s our future. We can’t complain about the future if we don’t start working on it now.
Two. Older individuals don’t understand us, but they want to. Two women probably around the ages of 45 and 55 approached me after the presentation. We discussed the generational gap and the need for more connection. We discussed how important it is for young people to get themselves out there and actually talk, not just text. We discussed the beginning of a generation who cares about politics. And after a lengthy conversation, one of these women asked me to be a guest speaker for her. They both took my (online) business card— yes I had to help them with the QR code— and were delighted to read my articles. This taught me that they really want to listen, they just don’t know how. But if we talk, face to face, they’ll listen.
As I left the building, my skin produced more goosebumps. But this time, it wasn’t my body’s reaction to the cold; it was the adrenaline and tingle I felt from these encounters. My dad picked me up and I immediately told him all about the youth training. I would not stop yapping (sorry dad).
That night, my family gathered around the TV to watch the DNC speeches. Performances and speeches from highly regarded individuals such as Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Bill Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi brought excitement to the party. However, the most inspiring moments were Pete Buttigieg and Tim Walz’s speeches. Buttigieg delivered a vivid, strong, and heartwarming message to his fellow democrats. Using vivid imagery about his own family dinners and pushing the value of joy over darkness, his speech was nothing short of uplifting. But the most pivotal moment of that night was Walz’s speech.
We know Tim Walz as Coach. We know him as dad. We know him as “Tampon Tim” (a nickname I happen to love, because this policy is a beautiful representation of how everyone should advocate for women’s health). We know him as the Governor of Minnesota, but soon to be Vice President. One could tell he wasn’t extremely experienced in big speeches, but his genuine and uplifting nature made up for it. And of course, the best part of his speech: his family’s reaction. Watching his daughter look up at her dad as he spoke about why she is named Hope was beautiful. Watching his wife look at the crowd absolutely starstruck was inspiring. And watching his son sob from overwhelmed pride was absolutely heartwarming. The next morning, I was disappointed to wake up to people posting about how “weird” Gus was. No, he wasn’t weird. He was proud. He was overjoyed. He was inspired. Regardless of any developmental delays or emotional difficulties he has, we should have celebrated his reaction. If Hope stood up crying and pointing at Walz screaming “That’s my dad,” everyone would praise her for looking up to her father. But, because Gus is a boy, he was expected to stay reserved. I watched Gus’ reaction and thought it was beautiful. It’s simply unfortunate that others didn’t see it this way.
The third day of the DNC was one of my favorites, as I saw the potential of American politics. Joy, not darkness. Working to improve the country because we love it, not because we hate it. Leaning into pride and familial love, not criticizing emotion and passion. Connecting with other generations because the only way to cultivate understanding is to talk. Listening to everyone’s voices so that no one is left behind. These values from my own experiences on Wednesday and the nationally televised convention are ones we should always remember. That is how we work for a better future. Because as I’ve already written, it’s our future. As Gen Z, it’s our job to actually apply these values to the society we have no choice but to grow up in and inherit. So let’s take that job seriously.