Change You Want To See!
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of young people who seem understandably worn down—even traumatized—by today’s hostile political climate. Many feel demoralized. Some say they're tired. Others talk about needing rest. And I get it.
Some of this seems to stem from the disappointment over the defeat of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Others are frustrated after years of voting for the Democratic Party, only to feel like their lives haven’t improved in any meaningful way.
There’s also a growing and valid sense—especially among young Black folks—that we give everything to help society, only to be thrown under the bus later. People on both the left and right use us as a like collateral damage in their fights, then dismiss our struggles as "identity politics"—calling them divisive or "boutique issues." Even on the left, racial justice is too often treated as secondary to so-called working-class issues.
I’ve even heard some younger influencers claim that “rest is revolutionary.” And when I challenge them on that, they clap back with: "OK boomer. Do you even talk to young people?"
Well yes, I do...
The Change You Want To See
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The Change You Want To See
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I have a 25-year-old daughter. I’ve got nieces, nephews, and other loved ones who are young people and mentees. I’ve spent the last decade around plenty of passionate, brilliant twenty-somethings. And let me tell you something—something I hope you take seriously:
The change you want to see won’t happen by itself. You have to organize. You have to build it—with your peers. With your own hands.
When I was in my 20s, I was out in the streets organizing alongside other young people. I was a Christian, but I worked with folks from the Nation of Islam, and the Five Percent Nation. We didn’t always share the same beliefs, but we found common ground with churches and civic groups to fight for justice.
Freedom isn’t free.
I see some of you today doing great work supporting Black-owned businesses and holding leaders accountable. I agree—Democrats need new leadership. But I have to ask:
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Are you and your friends running for local office?
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Are you building new independent or third-party coalitions?
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Are you joining Democratic clubs to change the party from the inside?
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What’s your next move?
Even if you’re right in your critique—and I believe many of you are—what are your steps? Where’s the strategy?
Will you align with people like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Will you support rising voices like Jasmine Crockett?
Let me give you a real-world example. Back in my 20s, I volunteered with Jesse Jackson’s campaign through Greater Allen AME Cathedral, and institutions like the Afrikan Poetry Theatre. That movement helped elect Floyd Flake—who became the first Black Congressman in Southeast Queens.
He leveraged that seat to bring in first-time homebuyers programs, senior citizen housing, and other developments that helped Southeast Queens grow from a drug-ridden neighborhood into the first Black community in the U.S. where Black income exceeded white income in the surrounding areas.
I also remember organizing petitions in Southeast Queens to demand the U.S. government act to help free South Africa from apartheid. I heard some people say, “I don’t give a damn about South Africa—all I care about is my property taxes.” But we kept going. We kept organizing. We didn't stop protesting.
And eventually, South Africa got free!
We protested police brutality in our own community—and now one of the people protesting beside me is the Mayor of New York City: Eric Adams.
That’s what happens when you organize.
It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not easy. But if you only critique society or sit out elections and protests in frustration, you’re doing exactly what retrograde groups like MAGA forces want you to do.
Don’t just talk about change—live and most importantly be the change you want to see!
That’s how we transform our communities. That’s how we win!
About Kamau Austin, is the award winning Publisher of the Black News Scoop, The Southeast Queens Scoop, and Scoop Publications, a division of AMS Digital Media. He is a long time activist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and author.
Austin has also been featured in Black Enterprise, Fortune Magazine Small Business, CNN, radio, cable, and countless newspapers and blog sites.
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