Harnessing the power of cultural expression. Bringing energy to the polls, right. Organizing around civic engagement. These are goals Cesar Cardenas, the lead on coalition and issues for the Hip Hop Caucus and Respect My Vote, is striving towards. He doesn’t just encourage all ages to participate in the democratic process, but helps them understand how the “dots connect” and why everyone should be engaged.
Cardenas joins co-hosts Natalie Mebane and Jonah Gottlieb on this episode of Our Future Now to discuss how art, activism and, yes, hip hop, are all interconnected and sources of power. He breaks down his own journey, which led to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Hip Hop Caucus and how the Respect My Vote campaign is mobilizing voters and activists.
Respect My Vote Episode Action Items
Learn more about the Respect My Vote Campaign
Learn more about Hip-Hop Caucus
This week we’re shining our spotlight on Beth Doglio. Learn more about her work as an elected official in the state of Washington.
Learn more about elections in your area at https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page
Apply for your absentee ballot here: http://www.vote4ourfuture.org/votebymail.html
If you’re interested in getting involved with the National Children’s Campaign visit: tinyurl.com/teamncc
More Our Future Now Podcasts
PODCAST: Tom Steyer on Why Voting is Vital
PODCAST: Kids Suing the United States
PODCAST: Vote Local, Raise Voices
PODCAST: Are Disability Rights Blocked at Voting Booth?
PODCAST: Marching Against Environmental Racism
PODCAST: California Fires… Who Doesn’t Get an Escape Plan
PODCAST: Trump’s Actions Against Post Office Prohibit Voting
PODCAST: Behind the Scenes with Youth Activists
PODCAST: Say Hell No to HEALS Act
PODCAST: Back to School with COVID?
PODCAST: Young Political Advisor Explains Environmental Policy’s Impact on Climate and COVID
PODCAST: GRAMMY-Nominated Activist Declares — Vote!
PODCAST: Is Defunding the Police the Answer
PODCAST: Black Youth Share Experiences with Police
PODCAST: Our World’s New Leaders — Kids
PODCAST: Racial Injustice — Our World Is At a Precipice
PODCAST: Senate’s Stall of HEROES Act Will Hurt Education
PODCAST: Exploitation of CARES Act Could Harm Families
PODCAST: COVID’s Impact on Environmental Health and Our Health, Too
PODCAST: Teens Fight For Family Members on Frontlines #YourWorkersMyFamily
PODCAST: How COVID-19 Is Harming College Students
The Our Future Now Collaboration
Our Future Now, a National Children’s Campaign Podcast is co-hosted by Jonah Gottlieb and Natalie Mebane. Gottlieb and Mebane are also co-founders of NCC. Gottlieb, a high school senior from Petaluma, California, is also the captain of One Planet Living and the co-founder and president of Global Awareness. Mebane is the Associate Director of US Policy for 350, an international movement looking to end the use of fossil fuels while promoting renewable energy.
Our Future Now is a collaboration between Parentology, the National Children’s Campaign and Goal 17 Media.
The National Children’s Campaign (NCC) is a national nonprofit organization that amplifies the voices of America’s 74 million children and youth, making sure our nation’s political leaders prioritize issues –health, education, climate and environment, child welfare, gun violence, child immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and youth civic engagement — that matter to those who are too young to vote. You can read more about today’s episode on the NCC blog here.
Goal 17 Media is a media network producing podcasts, videos and documentaries that inspire individuals and contribute to the common good.