Dear candidates, whose names will be on the ballot this May,

We need to talk, because I have a confession to make. I love my country, and I want you – you to show where the love is. I have been waiting so long for you–to reciprocate my and Mother Earth’s feelings of wanting a better future together.

You may or may have not made the first move, but when you told us you would be running, your words were full of hope and courage. Will you actually follow these up with actual actions?

Last March 25 our youth group organized a climate strike in our community, and there I mentioned that the youth are here, you just need to listen to us. Will you actually listen to us? Will you listen to us beyond tokenistic gestures, like telling us that we are the hope of the country?

We, the youth, don’t need to be empowered, because we already are. It’s a bold statement to make, but in many turning points of our history, youth and student movements have proven to be a great force in creating change in our society.

I sincerely hope you listen. Because at this stage, we’re listening to you. We’re at the talking stage. But will you keep your promises and platforms beyond the honeymoon? 

I hope you recognize that we, the youth – students, activists, professionals, and everything in between – are not just beneficiaries of youth development programs, but are living breathing human beings with stories to tell and a future to win.

It’s not you, it’s me. It’s us who will ultimately decide who gets elected and who calls the shots. The power of our elected officials comes from the power of the people, and I hope you remember that if you get that seat of power. And in this coming elections, when 52% of the voting population are youth, I hope you think twice before dismissing our calls and demands.

They say it takes two to tango, and when it comes to good governance, it takes all of us to dance. You’ll have to share the power, so the people can make you accountable. Participatory governance ensures that the people are heard and engaged, and this includes us, the youth.

May third party ba? Big corporations? Fossil fuel companies? This won’t work in our relationship. Your promise is to serve the people (and our planet). It’s time that we move on. If you want us and future generations to be able to have a future in the first place, then it’s about time we end these toxic relationships.

Let’s break up with pollution, fossil fuels, plastics and other practices that are killing our planet and future. And not just a break up, there has to be closure – there should be a just transition. Let’s fuel our communities with love, not with dirty energy. 

Only when we actually break free from the corporate interests, chaining us to an unlivable future, can we truly say that we really love Mother Earth. The chains that fetter us are tough but not indestructible. And breaking these chains is a matter of life and death for many of our countrymen, especially those bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.

In the end, we’ll have to trust some of you to show this love, and some of you will win our hearts. We only ask that you don’t unjustly take advantage of the trust that we’re giving you. Remember that each and every vote for you is a heart that believes in your deep love for our planet and people. Don’t break the heart of the millions of people who will vote for you. Don’t break Mother Earth’s heart. Don’t break mine.

I believe we have the potential to be more than just this, to show our love for our country much much more. I want a future together where we have a comfortable home, a planet that is livable and lovable. My words are just a tiny fraction of the love I want to share. I hope both of us manifest our love more in the things we do and don’t.

Do you feel the same? How deep is your love?

Love,
Jedryc
One of many empowered youth