Young people are a big part of CPAC, but in the political arena overall as well. Whitney Neal, of the Bill of Rights Institute presented “Engaging Millennials.”
Neal began by dismissing some assumptions about millennials. There are 80-95 million millennials. They’re not disengaged, Neal argues, they’re just engaged differently.
The issue isn’t if government is too big or too small, but about better government. Millennials aren’t so institutional minded, but rather they care about what hits closest to home.
Thus, millennials are impacted differently depending on life circumstances. Blanket statements can’t be made about them. Not talking about them broadly became the theme.
Five millennial conservatives then spoke about their experiences.
Lawrence Jones, who currently works for TheBlaze TV, came out of high school working for the Obama presidential campaign. The left had told him he was worth something, and led him to assume that Republicans were racist. As he learned more on his own though, Jones realized he had been deceived.
Jones went to go work with Project Veritas to expose the left. Millennials are an action oriented group.
On TheBlaze, Jones spoke with Black Lives Matter activists. The opposite sides were able to understand each other. Jones also said everyone should be able to agree hip-hop is about capitalism, and everyone likes money. The comment was met with applause.
Zuri Davis got to college and talked with conservative groups on campus about her beliefs and realized they disagreed. Rather than dismiss each other, they identified what they had in common.
Davis is currently on the Rare editorial team. Those who read and share their articles who are in agreement on the issues will always do so. But, progressives also share their articles, because they work to pinpoint similarities. It may take patience and creativity, but it’s possible to cut ourselves out when we can’t find anything in common.
She also emphasized how to find common ground on feelings, which politics can come second to.
Anthony Rodriguez grew up Republican, but felt he had no real principles. The idea that no party owns us, that millennials are their own people with own ideas was met with enthusiasm.
Rodriguez’s point also was well received that he doesn’t only care about immigration because of his last name. Millennials are all different and care about different issues.
Iris Somberg spoke of how on her way to the conference, her uber driver assumed she was in favor of Hillary Clinton because she is a young woman.
That led to the point that there needs to be a way to connect other than assumptions. This is through personal stories, and sharing why you personally support your candidates.
Kirk Higgins came to conservativism himself. Similarly, he shared that it’s important to share why you are excited about your ideas, why they are interesting, and why others may come to feel that way too. Higgins became engaged because people took the time to help him, and got him and others involved.
Neal also closed by summing up their general strategy of “Be authentic. Be issue focused, have a vision, recognize individual interests, freedom, opportunity, and community.”
