Generations Of Power is a zine
meant to outline the differences
in political behavior across generations. Most of us are raised on family values, including religion, ethics and
political values. Yet in many families
like mine, there are fault lines in these
values, which is demonstrated through
voting behavior. These fault lines have
deepened and become increasingly difficult to heal in the age of Trumpism in
the past three elections. To be raised by
a family and its values, how is it possible to have such intense, political faults
within one tight-knit family?
My front yard at my mom and dad’s
home in Leawood, Kansas has a “Humans for Harris, Waltz” sign. By dad’s
sister’s home in South Bend, Indiana
has a “Make America Great Again” yard
sign. My parents raised me without Bibles in our home or church service on
Christmas, but when I went over to my
mom’s brother’s home in Sedalia, Missouri, I would go to Sunday School at
their local church that they taught at for
the day. The differences are stark, and
have always left me confused as to how
siblings raised in one household grow
up with different beliefs. I already see
the same pattern with my brother and
I, who couldn’t care less about politics
whereas I read the politics section of
the news every single day.
Every family is different, and even
siblings within a single family can have
unique childhoods. This is apparent in
voting behavior and political belief systems. I invite you to think about your
grandparents, parents, siblings and
your political differences in a way that is
both skeptical and empathetic.