AHF is driven by a focus on the future— creating a world that’s safer, more accepting, and more equitable. That future will be designed in part by the next generation of advocates, which is why emphasizing youth advocacy is so central to the AHF’s mission. This week, we hear from two more children of AHF team members and advocates in their own rights, as well as from their parents and other advocacy leaders at AHF.
Speaking with the Future, Part II
More perspectives from the next generation of advocates
GUEST BIO:
Sasha (age 18) and Andrew (age 17) are youth advocates and the children of AHF employees. Andrew is a student at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC, while Sasha will attend Ohio University in 2023, studying early childhood education.
Tracy Jones is the National Director of Mobilization Campaigns for AHF. Rebecca Strong is the Associate Director of Advocacy in Washington, D.C.
John Hassell is the National Director of Advocacy in Washington, D.C.
Simpson Huggins is the Northern Affiliate Regional Finance Director.
Laila Goring is a pharmacy sales representative at AHF.
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[4:41] - The Big 3
Top advocacy issues according to our youth guests
Sasha and Andrew list reproductive rights, racial inequity, and climate change as the top issues facing our nation today. Now the question lies in how we can convince the next generation to get involved in helping combat these issues, because the truth is that they’ll be the ones bearing the brunt of their impact in the future.
[8:34] - Bridging Generations
A complex relationship from one era to the next
Ask Andrew and Sasha about whether the previous generation understands their needs and concerns, and the answer is complicated. On one hand, youth often find that the previous generations actively dismiss some of their concerns. On the other hand, they often find that, even if sometimes misguided, their elders at least make an effort to support their needs.
[19:13] - Making Children Safe
Candid discussions on gun violence
On the federal level, both Andrew and Sasha feel that legislation needs to be enacted that addresses gun violence head-on. On the local level, schools can only do so much. Security guards can help, but what psychological effects does an armed guard have on young elementary school children? These are the questions that no young person should be facing.
[29:25] - Answering Tough Questions from the Next Generation
When the parents have to listen & learn
Once we’re joined by some of AHF’s adult members, including parents of our two youth guests, the perspective shifts. Our guests share the way that even they have had to evolve and educate themselves in order to be true allies— becoming familiar with non-binary terms, pronouns, etc. Adults have to be willing to be taught by children, a role we’re often not naturally equipped to handle.
[36:11] - Lessons from the Back Seat
A powerful metaphor on cross-generational connection
John Hassell shares a striking analogy about the importance of intergenerational communication, relating it to when he’s driving with his son in the backseat. “I'm in the front seat just trying to get from point A to point B in really difficult traffic. Andrew's in the back opening up about an issue that's really important to him, what's going on in his life, what happened in his past, or what the future may look like…Maybe move over to the side of the road and listen to what you’re talking about.”
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Learn more at: https://www.aidshealth.org
ABOUT THE HOST:
Lauren Hogan is the Associate Director of Communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and has been working in a series of roles with the Foundation since 2016. She’s passionate about increasing the public visibility of AIDS, the Foundation's critical work, and how everyday people can help join the fight to make cutting-edge medicine, treatment, and support available for anyone who needs it.
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Lauren Hogan:
Check out what's new and happening from leaders in the community. Learn the ins and outs of advocacy, events and activations. Get involved, make an impact, and do something that adds value in your life. AHF is the world's largest HIV/AIDS service organization, operating in 45 countries globally, 16 states domestically, including DC and Puerto Rico. Our mission is to provide cutting edge medicine and advocacy, regardless of ability to pay.
Lauren Hogan:
Hello and welcome to the AHFter Hours podcast. I'm your host, Lauren Hogan, serving as your liaison to take you on a journey to learn more about AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Our topic for today is learn, lead, act. Before we start the show, please make sure to remember to check out the show notes so you can follow along. Now, let's get started.
Lauren Hogan:
So hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the AHFter Hours podcast. This is a very unique and special episode, to say the least. We're focusing on youth advocacy today. And we actually have some of our AHF employees kids' here, to speak from their perspective of how they feel about advocacy and what you guys are experiencing in your everyday lives.
Lauren Hogan:
So welcome, Andrew and Sasha, to the show.
Sasha:
Thank you for having us.
Andrew:
Yeah.
Lauren Hogan:
Absolutely. So first and foremost, Andrew, let us know how old you are and what school you go to and what year you're in?
Andrew:
Well, my name is Andrew. I am 17, almost 18. I go to McKinley Technology High School, that is in Washington, DC. And my father is an advocate, and that's what he does for a living.
Lauren Hogan:
And Sasha, what about you?
Sasha:
I'm 18. I'm actually going to college next year. I'm going to Ohio University to study early childhood education. I'm very excited. My mom has been working with advocacy my entire childhood, so I'm very excited to be able to talk about it today.
Lauren Hogan:
So because both of your parents are in advocacy, obviously you guys have been involved in it pretty much your whole life. So what is the first time you remember doing something that was advocacy-driven and at what age?
Sasha:
So I remember I was like six years old, it was my first pride parade. So it was really cool to be there that young and to see how much it means to people. And being in the parade and being on the float, and then going to it afterwards and just being there, was a really cool experience that I will definitely remember for a lifetime.
Lauren Hogan:
Wow.
Andrew:
As for me and my dad, I currently moved in with my dad. And I went to ... it was a aids healthcare walk, I think it was an event that was going on, this walk. I definitely saw different people that I was not used to at the time, because I used to be living in a different space. And I thought it was interesting. At first I was kind of afraid because I felt like I did not fit in, but eventually I eased into things and I felt much more comfortable and I actually really liked being around that kind of space.
Lauren Hogan:
So you mentioned fitting in. So from you guys' perspectives ... like I said, you guys are the youth at this point ... what does fitting in mean to you? Andrew, you mentioned it, so go ahead.
Andrew:
Fitting in is basically making people happy. Obviously you can't do that all the time because people will disagree with you on specific things, and that's what majorly makes you able to fit in with what other people want to think. Sometimes you just have to adjust to the specific things that people like and don't like. But sometimes it is difficult, especially when things are not quite right. And sometimes people might have their specific views, but those specific views might be incorrect and unjust to a specific group of people.
Andrew:
And that happens quite often. And sometimes you got to advocate for the fact that you got to make sure it reminds people that what they're saying is wrong.
Lauren Hogan:
Sasha, what do you think?
Sasha:
So for me, recently, I've just stopped trying to fit in. I've just tried to fit into my perspective and what I think is right and my mindset. So if someone doesn't like me for what I'm wearing or who I am, that's their own problem. I want to be who I want to be and what's right for me.
Lauren Hogan:
I think it's beautiful that you guys have so much confidence. The world can be a mean place. So I think that's beautiful, what you guys said.
Lauren Hogan:
So what are the three most important advocacy issues you think our leaders should be addressing right now? And that can be anything, from A to Z.
Sasha:
For me, I definitely think ... well, I'll just go in order: reproductive rights in health, racism, and climate change and climate control and stuff like that. I think those are the three most important things that are definitely affecting us and the youth. With climate control and climate change, that's our world that we're living in. And if it goes down, then we're stuck and screwed.
Lauren Hogan:
Yeah.
Andrew:
Yeah. And just to add onto that, I agree with the racial factor of it because that goes into things like jobs, also medicine, because specific groups are marginalized and put into a spot that they're not able to gain the things that they actually need. And for that reason, populations suffer because of that.
Lauren Hogan:
So what should those of us, who do advocacy for a living, do to get more young people at your age involved in important advocacy issues that you just mentioned?
Andrew:
I would personally say that advocacy ... it depends on who you ask or what it is. One person might have a different view on it. But it's really important to do things so that children have an incentive to do that. Make sure to put it into terms that it can be quite understandable to them, but in a way kind of enjoyable and that they feel that they have accomplished something.
Andrew:
That can be something as simple as going out for a protest. That's one of the most simple things you can do. And just starting them early is quite important, because that way they build that feel of accomplishment and feel like they're doing something that can affect the other people around them.
Sasha:
I also feel like social media is a big way to reach out, just because so many people use it and it's a great way to reach out to people all across the country and world even. So I feel like that's a great way to get things out. And even talking, not making them feel stupid. So using smaller words was really helpful for me. When I was on social media, simple terms was really helpful for me.
Lauren Hogan:
So at this point in time, you're 18, you're 17. Correct? So you guys have lived in a world where there's just been constant turmoil, or there's racism going on. The summer of 2020 was crazy, with George Floyd, climate change and protecting the environment. There's so many different things happening within the short span of you guys' lives at this point. How do you guys feel, day-to-day?
Sasha:
It's very stressful because I know one day I do want to have children, and I want to be a teacher and I want to work with those children, and I'm worried about their future and what it's going to look like. That's very scary. I want my kids to grow up how I grew up. I always thought I was safe. I didn't have to worry about certain things. But now, as I've grown up, there is just certain things I have to worry about more. And it's even worse now. I don't want that for the future generations.
Andrew:
I would also agree, as well as people becoming desensitized. Things happen right after each other and there's a cycle of people making a big deal about it, things are shown in the news. And even if advocacy and all this, reaching out to address the problems that's happening, it's just this constant cycle of making a big deal, covering it, and then things just disappear until another bad thing happens.
Andrew:
And people are becoming desensitized that way and no change is really being made, it's mostly just people ... not necessarily complaining, but putting out the fact that this problems are still here and we still haven't done anything about it.
Lauren Hogan:
How do you feel about the older generation? Do you think that they understand what you guys are going through right now and how it's a really an emotional toll for you guys at such a young age?
Sasha:
I don't think they truly understand because ... this is not as big of a deal, but when they're like, "Oh, when I was a kid I didn't have these resources you have." But it's just such a different time. They didn't have to go through the things that we go through, so it's very different and it's not a fair ... what's the word?
Lauren Hogan:
Comparison?
Sasha:
Yeah. So I just feel like they don't understand certain things about that. And it's really frustrating because these are the things that affect our lives and our future. Especially with older generations, they don't have to worry about certain things anymore that we do, like how they're growing up, because they're done growing up I guess, and how their lives are going to be affected and the way they learn and stuff.
Andrew:
Yeah, I certainly agree. But it's also important to remember that they might have gone through their own problems and things like that. They've faced things as well. It's just that their opinions in specific things is not definitely wrong, it's just it can be quite outdated because those things are not issues that are going on right now. Maybe they are going on right now, but not in the same way that they were facing them at the time.
Andrew:
But it's also good to remember that the older generations, in most cases ... I'm saying this happens in the majority of the time ... they just want what's best for us. And they're just trying their best to provide us with the resources that they can provide us with. We got to be grateful for that, for sure.
Lauren Hogan:
You better advocate for your parents. That was beautiful. So what do you guys feel, at this point in time, is the most important advocacy issue in school?
Sasha:
So I personally went to a very, I would say, liberal and very open high school. So if you had something to talk about anyone was ready to listen, whether it be a student, a teacher, or administration. They were very open about it and they were ready to hear you with whatever you had to talk about. There are just certain issues that I feel like are ... I feel like this is normal for any high school student, but nothing drastically life changing, I feel like.
Andrew:
I would probably say it is important to discuss sexual health. Sometimes it makes people uncomfortable, because even to this day it's kind of taboo talking about it right now. Even at school, things like that should be covered because something that might be talked about in school might make it seem that everybody might be different and you might not feel comfortable with somebody else's actions or beliefs or things like that. But you also got to support them because they're still people. Even though they're much different than you, it's important to include them because you shouldn't just put people aside just because they're much different than you are.
Lauren Hogan:
I think that's a great segue though, because how do you guys feel about don't say gay bills? I mean, Andrew, you're in DC, so you're in a blue state. It's more liberal. But Sasha, you're in Ohio, and it's one of the red states. So there's some don't say gay legislation that's already been passed in your state. So how do you guys feel about it?
Sasha:
So personally, for me, I do want to be a teacher. And that's very frustrating for me, to not be able to talk about that in schools, because those are just things that need to be talked about. This shouldn't be such a taboo thing, where it needs to be legally banned. It's just how people are and who they are and who they love. And those things shouldn't be banned, that should just be life.
Andrew:
Yeah. I agree. It's because majority of the issue is that people are commonly uncomfortable because people might be different. And that's what the majority of the problem is, is because they are different. They use a way to force them to conform, to being what is called normal; obviously that being straight.
Andrew:
And that shouldn't be something that's a law or the law of the place. I think it's quite unnecessary. If anything I think it should be more inclusive, because maybe even in school environments that can be more helpful and make things more comfortable for students. Because if they're more comfortable in the space they're learning, obviously they're going to do better in the things they have to do at school.
Lauren Hogan:
So what do you think the potential mental health effects can be? If you have someone who has two dads or two moms and they can't fully express themselves or their home lives in school, which should be a safe space, what do you think that can do to their mental health, as a kid?
Sasha:
I feel it's definitely going to take a toll on how they see themselves and how they see their life. And definitely, it's just going to make them uncomfortable as who they are or their family. I don't feel like anyone should be uncomfortable with who their family is.
Andrew:
Personally, as a person with two fathers, I share a feeling with that. Because at first I was really uncomfortable discussing me having two dads, in a sense I was embarrassed because I was forced to feel that way. And nowadays, it's not a big deal as I used to think it was. I'm kind of proud, because it's different and it's not something that everybody can say.
Andrew:
And obviously I love my two fathers, and they just want to do what's best for me. And I'm really appreciative of this, of what they do for me. And I think that people who think otherwise need to expand their opinions and be more open-minded about this kind of thing.
Lauren Hogan:
That was a very politically correct way of saying to stop being so dense. That was nice.
Lauren Hogan:
Another thing I wanted to talk to you guys about though is, there's been a lot of gun violence in schools and schools are supposed to be safe spaces. So first, have you guys had any firsthand experience about schools being on lockdown, or your school specifically being on lockdown, or you having a bomb scare or a gun threat? And what's that been like?
Sasha:
So recently, this past year, we've had four modified lockdowns, where class could go on but your room was locked. And it was very scary because I had never actually been in one before. So it was very new to me. It was my last semester in high school and it was very nerve-wracking because we didn't know what was going on. No one was telling us anything. My teacher wasn't even taking it seriously. She's like, "Oh this is just a joke. It's not real. You guys don't need to do anything," while we're hearing other classrooms moving the desks, moving the chairs. We can hear what's going on. It was very scary. We're all texting each other and they're talking over the loud speaker. And in some rooms you can't hear it because it's just hard to hear. It was very scary. Just not knowing what was going on was the worst part of it.
Sasha:
And it was actually a kid in my class. It was a senior class and so we get senior class shirts. He did it twice. He threatened our school twice. And he's on the back of our shirts for our senior class. I just don't like it, it's just very uncomfortable. I'd never met him before.
Sasha:
But it was just like, I don't understand the thought process of how older generations and the government don't see how this is an actual problem, and that needs to be addressed. And they don't talk to us enough about it to see that we're scared to go to school. This is the place where I'm supposed to be safe. I should not be scared every day to go to class.
Sasha:
I remember, that day, it was later in the day, the PA turned on and everyone in the hall stopped. And it was like, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It was just so terrifying.
Andrew:
Yeah. And just to add on, I live in DC and it was mostly bomb threats. We had a total of, I think, four, maybe six. Quite a lot, actually. And just to add on to that, it's just that people were desensitized and they didn't make a big deal about it, even though it was a real issue going on. And it happened multiple times and we had to obviously exit the building and go to the field, which is the football field right outside our school. We stayed there and they had cops and professionals come in and check the school out to see if there's anything dangerous in the school. And as time passed, people just didn't really care. It is a problem because you never know if a threat could actually be a threat, an actual threat. There might be a bomb in the school. Nobody knows.
Andrew:
And regarding to gun laws, this should have been something that should have been addressed a long time ago. Personally, I don't think there's a necessity for you to be carrying around a gun. I think you already have cops for those kind of things. And even if you're home, you do not need a fully automatic rifle, at most maybe a handgun. But most of the time they'll be even more than necessary.
Andrew:
I think this is a problem that should be really heavily looked upon right now, especially after multiple of the school shooters that have gone on recently. And those kids' lives could have been saved if laws were put in place. It was a really unnecessarily loss of life. This could have been changed a long time ago.
Lauren Hogan:
No, I hear you guys. And I think in retrospect ... I'm 26, so I am younger. I'm technically still a millennial. When I was in high school, we had two gun scares where we had to go on lockdown because there was a threat of someone shooting up our high school.
Lauren Hogan:
But you guys have been through between four and six in a matter of a year, and that was my whole high school career. So just to see how much this has increased is definitely very alarming and traumatizing. As you were saying, Sasha, to walk into school and you're supposed to feel safe, this is a place where you come to learn and to receive education, and you're on pins and needles the whole time, that's not a conducive environment for you to do so.
Lauren Hogan:
So with that being said, I'm going to lead into our last question. Being that you guys still need to go to school and you guys still need educations, what do you feel schools need to do at a local level to make sure you guys feel safe? And what does the government need to do to ensure your safety in school?
Sasha:
So at my school we already have security guards. But I feel like, at an elementary level, that doesn't need to happen. There should not be security guards with weapons in an elementary school. I feel like that's just ridiculous, personally. But at a high school level I understand, just because kids can bring in drugs and stuff like that. So that's understandable.
Sasha:
But with the gun laws, I just feel like there need to be better background checks. I know that's federal, not local, but I just think there need to be stricter laws and stuff like that. And my school does a really good job about talking about mental health and being very open about it, and there's always safe spaces you can go. But I feel like it's definitely perspective and based on from school to school.
Lauren Hogan:
And I'm going to follow-up with the question to you, Sasha, too. You said you wanted to be a teacher. So how do you feel about becoming a teacher in the state that this country's in?
Sasha:
Oh, it's definitely terrifying. When the Texas shooting happened, I almost thought about changing my major just because I was genuinely so scared. And it wasn't a about me situation, I was worried for the children. And I just know the toll that would take on you as a teacher, losing a child from a school shooting that is happening right in front of you, that would just be awful. I can't even fathom it.
Lauren Hogan:
Andrew, how do you feel about what, at the local level and at the government level, should be done around ensuring kids' safety at school?
Andrew:
Mental health is quite important. Majority of the cases where kids are pushed to do things that they definitely regret later, sometimes they take their own lives at the end of this incident. It's really important to not lower the standards on how we look at mental health. Mental health is something that a lot of people just look at and recognize, but don't understand how really important it is. Because mental health, it can lead to issues after issues after issues. And it just starts at that one specific point.
Andrew:
Also, agreeing to what she said, it's not necessary to have guards with weapons and things like that in elementary school, but in a high school that might be different. Obviously, in elementary school maybe. But it is important to maybe make things a little bit more stricter of what is allowed to be brought into school, but still keep some open-mindedness of maybe other things that people might see as dangerous but that's not necessarily are, that might be for religious reasons, maybe different cultural background, things like that.
Andrew:
And that also adds on into clothing. Obviously there's stereotypes and things like that, obviously, and those are quite common. And people tend to stereotype people, the way they dress or the way they talk or just how they look. And that tends to play a big role in how people see you as a threat or how much people see you as much as a threat, because obviously a person of color is seen as more dangerous than a white person. And it's not necessarily something that should be a thing, but it just seems to be.
Lauren Hogan:
Well, I have to say thank you to you both for coming on the podcast and expressing your thoughts and being so transparent. This was fantastic. I want to say congratulations for getting into college.
Sasha:
Thank you.
Lauren Hogan:
And congratulations to you for being a lover of science. That's a big deal. And I'm excited to hear and see what you guys are going to do in the future and how you're going to change this world. So thank you so much.
Andrew:
Thank you.
Sasha:
Thank you.
Lauren Hogan:
Thank you so much for joining us. If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the show, please subscribe, share it with your friends, like, post about it on social media, or leave a rating and review. Follow us on Instagram, @ahfterhours, and see you next time.