CNN. Clinton drops a Pokemon Go reference at rally. From YouTube. Video, 0.46. March 8, 2020. https://youtu.be/jt6riM2aDLk
In her research, Jennifer Frost aims to bring attention and appreciation to the Youth Rights Movement which managed to expand voting rights to 18-year-olds. This is an achievement that has been misinterpreted by the dominant reading, which claims it was the result of a primarily ‘top-down’ initiative that was not sought by, nor of any interest, to the 18-year-olds who benefit from it.
Frost strives to rebuke this. Likewise, I want to highlight the power that researchers have over a narrative. This interpretation of the movement shows how the researchers have failed to understand the event and, in doing so, they have disempowered those involved and reduced the significance of their achievement.
It is frustrating to see the lack of recognition for the ‘bottom-up’ forces. Moreover, the interpretation by these historians is based on, and furthers, prominent stereotypes that young people are ‘too lazy’ to participate in politics, or ‘too young to know what they’re talking about’. Low voter turnouts among young Americans are often used to validate this position. However, I believe such evidence of political disengagement among young people is a result of the negative narrative associated with youth in politics.
This serves as another reminder of why we must be aware of the responsibility researchers have in avoiding the reproduction of power imbalances. Misrepresenting a story can continue a problematic narrative.
Because yes, I would like to see more youth ‘Pokemon Go’ to the polls all over the world. It is our future, after all—we should feel confident to have a say in what it looks like.
