Addie Lentzner was a Vermont delegate at the Democratic National Convention in August. Among many other accomplishments, she is founder and executive director of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, the founder of the End Homelessness VT Coalition, and interim chair of the Bennington Democrats. She is a member of the Middlebury College class of 2027.
BENNINGTON-I stood with the bright lights shining on my face, the cheers of delegates ringing in my ears, and my mind skipped a beat. I scanned the room and saw a diverse array of faces of all identities, with the same shared vision for the future.
I could not believe that I was here, at the Democratic National Convention, at this moment - but I also couldn't stop thinking about the bigger picture.
I thought of the young people who weren't there, the ones who live in desperate poverty, experience the mental health crisis firsthand, who navigate the failing education system, who live during wartime, and who survive through systemic racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other inequalities daily.
I couldn't stop thinking about how consequential this election is.
I couldn't stop thinking about what will happen to all of us if we don't win.
And I couldn't stop thinking about how we are divided - even among us young people - on this idea of the future of our nation.
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I realize that many people are sick and tired of hearing about the importance of this election and just want to get it over with, because life needs to go on. And yes - I agree.
However, this election is too important to whisk away. Doing so means whisking away our freedoms, and I am happy to debate with anyone on this.
In fact, a core topic of the convention this year was freedom: the freedom to choose, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be who you are.
The DNC was a compilation of freedom and so many other American themes and values. Everything from Former First Lady Michelle Obama hitting the nail on the head as she claimed the presidency to be a "Black job." Or civil rights activist and political commentator Rev. Al Sharpton and the Central Park Five speaking on racism, inequality, and hope in America. Or J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, expounding on everyday working people, even as he maintains a billionaire status.
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But it wasn't just high-profile politicians who made an impact.
One of the people who seriously stole the show, and highlighted American values, was a 10-year-old girl in the women's caucus who had been brought in to DJ and control the music.
As we collectively bopped to the music, I turned around and saw her on the stage bouncing and dancing to the songs, headphones on and a smile on her face. She not only led the music, but she came to the stage and spoke eloquently about the future of this country.
I saw millions of girls in America - including myself - represented in her. I saw power and hope and resilience and strength. I saw joy.
And ... I saw life.
This election is about more than the abstract future - it's about the everyday lives of all of us.
It's about being able to return to a home, cherish loved ones, have enough food to eat, and feel safe being who we are.
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To fellow young people, I say this: Kamala Harris might not fully fall in line with some of your beliefs on the issue of justice in the Middle East or some other topics that we collectively care deeply about.
However, Donald Trump would be much worse. I know, I know ... we've all heard that before, too.
Let's just say, if we don't vote in this election, we lose the chance at impacting policy for our futures.
We lose the chance of providing a safe future for our children and generations beyond, and those who are living around the globe today.
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So I want to embody in my peers of all ages the feeling I felt as the red, white, and blue balloons fell down from the ceiling in the United Center on Aug. 22.
Kamala and Coach Walz signs were hoisted into the air, and I openly laughed. And cried. And hugged my fellow delegates as we cried together. I felt joyous, hopeful, and I felt solidarity that I hadn't felt in a long time.
Before attending the DNC, I felt incredibly pessimistic. Now, I have a renewed sense of optimism, and I want to pass it along.
We can build a better country together, and that's not just some bogus, intangible line I'm saying to rally support. I mean it authentically.
Here we have an opportunity before us to make systemic, foundational change on whatever issue you care about.
So I urge all of us to come together and fight - and fighting means getting out the vote. It takes a village, but America: we are the strongest village this world has ever seen. Together we can do anything.
It's not even about the Democratic Party anymore - it's about democracy. Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Socialist, Independent, or anywhere in between: We need to fight against fascism and a possible dictatorship.
Kamala is that hope. And Kamala is that joy. America: let's grasp onto that joy and ride it like a blue wave to November.
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