Uncanny Wisdom from Youth

"Now a week later, the youth's question still makes me wonder if he had identified a flaw in the democratic process," says Dennis Windsor, adding "he may even have summed up the issue with Greater Vernon's Master Water Plan and the people responsible for developing and implementing it."  

Here's the story:

"Last week I was invited to represent the Legion to talk about Remembrance Day with about a dozen teenagers at Teen Junction in Vernon.  (Teen Junction Youth Center is a non-judgmental haven for at-risk youth in Vernon - youth who have issues with school, who are estranged from their family, and who need some direction in their life.  Teen junction provides social interaction, recreational activities, hot meals five nights a week, and referrals to local youth services.) 

I briefly outlined the history of Remembrance Day and the traditional parts of the Remembrance ceremony to the youth.  I had emphasized  that Canadian service men and women had made major sacrifices so everyone in Canada could continue to have freedom, democratic government and opportunities to succeed.

The teens seemed interested and I read short sections from some letters written from the front lines by a soldier in WWI and we continued in a question and answer and discussion format. 

A wide range of topics were being discussed and then one young man who had been quiet for a few moments asked a very perceptive question:

"What can people do when democratically elected

 officials  and government employees

 ignore the wishes

 of the majority of citizens?"

I responded that was a problem that occasionally happened and listed the usual actions - letters to the editor; public meetings/demonstrations; recall; vote them out in a subsequent election; push for the opposition to champion the cause; and where laws are broken, take court action.

I don't think my answer satisfied the young man and I fear he continues to worry about how his world is being managed. 

Now a week later, the question still makes me wonder if he has identified a flaw in the democratic process.  For example, the young man seems to have nicely summed up the issue with Greater Vernon's Master Water Plan and the people responsible for developing and implementing it."  Dennis Windsor

At a time when stories of low voter turnout appear to prove that apathy has become a societal norm, the young man asking the question certainly provides more than just hope for the future.

Whether he was at Teen Junction due to issues with family or school, he was able to look beyond his own circumstances and see that democracy may not have the same definition today as it did to the servicemen and women who fought for it.    

"I hope the young man is encouraged to use his leadership ability," says Kia, "as he has a great deal to offer his generation."

And ours! 

A big thanks to the young man for reminding us of a critical tenet.

And to Dennis Windsor for sharing it.