By Jaelyn Nichols and Taylor Mack The theme of the 2018 YMCA Youth and Government conference is to “Be a Part of the Answer”. At conference, it is essential for delegates to participate in events and increase awareness of their actions in order to succeed. Delegates argue cases and prepare bills to be their best selves, as well as the spark that leads to “the answer”.
Being a part of the answer means different things for different people. It can mean speaking up in chambers, or being attentive during a debate. It only matters that one contributes, as this helps people grow collectively as a group, community, and world. This makes individuals unique and allows for diverse opinions to be presented in groups. Two delegates responded to the question of how they believe they are becoming part of the answer at conference. Brad Taber stated, “Being a part of Youth and Government allows you to research issues in our world. It also serves as a foundation for professional skills used in the real world.” Participating in Youth and Government gives students valuable experience that they can use in their careers, whether that is serving for our government or elsewhere. Isabella Bredwell similarly stated, “Conference allows me to get out of my comfort zone and improve my communication skills, which in turn leads to new opportunities.” Conference is a thriving community which allows growth and encouragement for all participants. A mural of Nina Simone (1933-2003), a native North Carolinian, hangs outside the Raleigh Convention Center during this year’s conference. Nina Simone inspired many to become part of the answer through her music and civil rights activism leading up to and throughout the mid-1960s. Simone, known as a Prominent Civil Rights singer, used her artistry to awake the world of the racial issues, especially those that arose in Mississippi after four young black girls died in a church bombing. Along with songwriting and creating music, Simone also strived to raise awareness of societies euro-centric beauty standards that are forced upon black women. By being a part of the answer, Simone instilled confidence among black women and people of color. By letting the wrong show through music, poetry, and activism, the way has been paved to release the right that can come and will come from society. Simone is proof that by being the answer or being a part of the answer, everyone will create and go down in history. Hopefully, delegates will learn to apply these values to their time at conference.
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