The NewsOutlet.org is a collaborative effort among the Youngstown State University journalism program, University of Akron and University of Cincinnati, and professional media outlets WYSU-FM Radio and The Vindicator, and The Beacon Journal and Rubber City Radio, both of Akron. Transcript of video: Millennials have gotten a reputation for being self-absorbed, more interested in their iPhones than what’s going on in the world around them. Is this really the case? The News Outlet, a collaborative effort among public universities in Northeastern Ohio, spoke to millennials to find out. While some millennials say they are not very interested in local politics, it’s not because they don’t care. It’s a matter of finding their place in the community, often by volunteering. Greta Frost: “I’m very involved in my community, partially through school because I have to do a certain number of community service hours, but I end up always doing more than what I’m supposed to do. So, I help get volunteers for different events and I’m probably going be volunteering to actually make phone calls for a levy. I volunteered on the Obama campaign when I was a senior in high school. So, any way I can. I like to volunteer.” They definitely have opinions on the issues. What are some things millennials are thinking about? Gabby Fellows: “Jobs, because Youngstown seems to be, hopefully, coming back from the dead zone that it’s currently in. We’re seeing more jobs popping up and more people wanting to stay in the area to pursue these jobs, so if it continues on the path that it’s on I’m hoping that we’ll be able to be a fully functioning big city again.” Getting the millennials to go vote is a challenge. But some do seem to understand the importance of their vote. Jeffrey Bash: “ I think it is my public responsibility to vote in a national election, so I can, kind of, try and give my little input on what the future should be like.” Ashley Orr: “I want to vote in a national election just because we have the right and I think that that’s such a unique privilege. But, I think that it does take a lot to get the younger population to vote in the national election just because you feel like, you know, you are one in three hundred million so how big of a difference does that make? But, then you also have to remember that the leaders are one in three hundred million and they’re making a difference - some of them good, some of them bad. But, I think just putting it in that frame of mind, so that you can make a difference, I think that phrasing that that way encourages people.” But are they tired of politics-as-usual? It sounds like that may be the case. Anthony Sarachene: “There has to be some sort of restructuring of the government, as far as the politicians involved. They have to get, there have to be new, fresh people elected or they have to, you know, reconsider what they’re thinking.” Gabriella Gessler: “I’m actually not extremely connected with local politics. I feel like it is hard to kind of get a clear story and definition with everything. My dad’s involved in the community a lot. So, even with that, like, there’s always going to be a natural bias with seeing things, so I feel like I need to kind of understand where I stand with things in the community before I really get more involved with it.” Anthony Sarachene: “They have to take a new approach to solving the problems. There are too many bull-headed people and nothing can get done on both sides, you know, Democratic and Republican.” This past summer, millennials overtook the Baby Boomers as the largest generation. They are here, they are the majority, and they want their politicians to hear what they are saying. Nick Cocca: “I think what they need to do more is listen. I think they need to learn when to stop talking and when to let their constituents and let the people talk to them, if that makes sense.” For The News Outlet, I’m Elizabeth Lehman

• published: 06 Nov 2015
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