Nov. 8, 2016, we were all so worried about President Cheeto Puff’s election that we missed the part where a 21 year-old Black man became Michigan’s youngest state representative.
Jewell Jones, a University of Michigan student, has made history for the second time in Michigan. At the age of 20, Jones became the youngest person to sit on the city council. Now, only a year later, Jewell is the youngest state representative.
Jewell’s election as the State Representative, as well as his spot in the city council is a big step forward for Michigan, so why aren’t we hearing about it?
In Michigan, the news we receive is not reflective of what’s really happening. We hear about the murders, the gangs, the robbings, and the gun wars. We don’t hear news that matters, like the fact that a 21-year-old has invested time, time he could use studying since he is in college, to have our voices heard by politicians.
News like this is cardinal to the young people in this state, and especially in my city, Detroit.
Majority of our representation in the media consists of the kind of stereotypes that entertain the world. They portray us as “hoodrats”, and “thugs”, because that’s what entertains the world. But, when there’s a young man out making a difference, there are barely any news stories on him.
If the young people knew the position that Jewell held, they could then fathom the thought that it was possible for them. It could open up the possibilities for young Black men and Women who don’t see a way they can create change.
The young people in Michigan deserve to know that we have an ally representing our state. There is a young person in those meetings, advocating for us! This is empowering, and news that we deserve to hear as much as we hear about another shooting. This is the kind of news that uplifts a community, so why keep it away from us?
Jewell Jones is a hero, and deserves to be recognized as such.
Michigan deserves to know that there are young people out here fighting for us.
As a young activist in Michigan, his role in politics, and his dedication to the young people in Michigan, give me hope that young people can make a difference.
