Dear Young Adult Friends and Leaders of Young Adult Friends,

Do you want to intentionally create a local community structure for Young Adult or Student Friends in your area?

Do you wish there were more roles for leadership for the younger generations? In connection to that, do you wish there were more ways for younger generations to engage our elders and cherish their experience and wisdom?

Do you want to engage and work with the wider Faith-based community on issues of social justice, community-cohesion, and peacemaking?

Do you wish to do more to share Quakerism with the world, and to strengthen your own Quaker identity?

Do you wish there were a network that would help you communicate among Friends of your generation to assert your collective voice and take collective action?

The letter below goes into detail about an opportunity to pursue an engagement with the WSCF, the oldest international student/young adult organization in the world. It is an opportunity to start something for Young Adult and Student Friends that could be considered a Quaker Student Movement. If people were inspired to try and build this among our generation, community by community, it has the possibility to address the concerns raised by the questions above.

WHO I AMStephen Dotson
My name is Stephen and all I want is to present this idea to Friends and see where it goes. I am a convinced Friend since 1997, a member of Goose Creek Friends Meeting of Baltimore Yearly Meeting (FGC & FUM) and a 2006 graduate from Guilford College and the QLSP program. Through my time there I became familiar with the rich history of the Religious Society of Friends and the practices of early Friends. Also at Guilford, I grew appreciative of the diversity among Friends and the building energy among younger generations to work across this diversity. We are eager to see it as a Blessing and not a burden, and found there are just as many older Friends who share that Spirit and energy.

After graduating from Guilford I became fascinated with how Young Adult Friends are asserting their Quaker principles, processes, and vocabulary to manage the challenges that the transition out of college brings. The last year and half I've been researching and interviewing YAFs to better understand and Witness to their journeys into adulthood. Through this endeavor and my attendance at the North American YAF gathering and QUIP's (Quakers United in Publication) annual gathering, I became aware of the vibrant welling-up of Spirit and Ministry that Friends of younger generations possess. By this work I have also intentionally built a large personal network of YAFs and people who work closely with YAFs.

Just after returning from the North American YAF conference in Richmond, Indiana I received an email from a Friend suggesting that I apply to be a Steward to the World Student Christian Federation's Global Assembly. I knew nothing of this organization and neither did any of my friends and mentors. After researching and deciding it was congruent with my values, I wrote an application fueled by the eager Spirit that was abound at the North American YAF gathering. I felt I had no chance at obtaining one of the few spots they offer, so I also felt I had nothing to lose and really put my heart into it. In June, I received an email congratulating me on my acceptance to the Global Assembly as a Steward. I was shocked, and unsure of what that would mean, what exactly this organization was, etc., but with the aid of my monthly meeting I went and found out.

Now I find myself in a position of being a connector. I have seen the tools that the WSCF offers, I am aware of the opportunities my generation is seeking, and I have clear access to the networks on both sides of this possible relationship. I have never had such a clear and sobering Leading as to write the following piece.

We have witnessed a hunger in this rising generation. We have witnessed a willingness to worship and work together amidst difficulties, and despite differences. In my peers and in myself, I see an eagerness to serve Love, Faith, and Community that has few avenues for full expression. We have witnessed an eagerness to speak Truth to power. We have witnessed a desire to build intergenerational connections, but few opportunities. We are interested in these relationships because we're aware of the truth: we can't know where we're going if we don't know where we have been. We have also seen how Quakerism's insular nature can produce in-fighting, and perhaps more seriously, often fails to engage the larger community of Faith and share the gems and tools that our Faith has produced. We are a shrinking tradition because of these boundaries, but we are a vibrant and inspired generation.

I am writing this letter today because I have found something that I hold to be a vital opportunity for the rising generations of Quakers, a tool that could help address those needs and concerns.

My aim is not to take credit for anything that comes out of this, but to be a catalyst, a spark. I am Called to equip Friends with more tools for deepening their relationship with each other, the world, and God. We have all seen instances where Friends turn their deeds, words, gifts, and leadership into badges that adorn their pride and ego, but I want to be explicit in asking you all to hold me and each other accountable to serving Spirit as we approach leadership within the Religious Society of Friends.

Below there are sections entitled:
-WHAT IT IS
-HOW IT MAY SPEAK TO OUR CONDITION
-HOW WE MIGHT MOVE FORWARD

WHAT IT IS
This August I spent 3 weeks of my summer in Montreal working with the World Student Christian Federation at their global assembly. Briefly stated, the organization is an ecumenical, grassroots-based organization of different student/young adult communities enacting their beliefs around social justice, humanitarian, and peace issues from the basis of Christian-rooted Faith. It emphasizes local community engagement with a perspective for global concerns. They believe in putting faith in to action in the context of autonomous community-based groups that communicate and congregate occasionally in national, regional, and global gatherings. Not all members are Christians, and not all members are still students, but the name remains.

2008 WSCF Stewards

The WSCF is the oldest international student organization in the world and was the starting point of the World Council of Churches. It has been a critical link between people of Faith, all over the world for over 100 years. It was one of the last channels of communication between war-torn Germany and America during WWII, used by Dietrich Bonhoeffer to inform his colleagues at Union Theological Seminary in New York of the full extent of Nazi atrocities. It has been the facilitating organization for countless dialogues of cease-fire, peace-making, and relief work on the local level. On the global level it's international office in is Geneva and it consults with the U.N. and various global aid organizations. Here are some useful links to familiarize yourself with the organization:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Student_Christian_Federation
http://www.wscfglobal.org/news.php
http://www.wscfglobal.org/wscfInAction.php

Not many people have heard of this organization because the WSCF hasn't been around in North America for the last 40 years. In 1968, the members that made up the North American region were convinced that by participating in "the institution" of the WSCF they were part of the problem (remember, 1968 = hippies). They proceeded to vote themselves out of existence, and in the 40-year absence of an organization for progressive Christian/spiritual young people, the "religious right" (I use this term for lack of a better one) has super-organized and re-shaped Christianity in America.

In 2005 the North American Region was restarted and the Canadian Student Christian Movement was formed. Luciano Kovacs was made Secretary of the region at that time and describes the region as follows:

Members of the WSCF-North America (WSCF-NA) are called together in a common cause of ending injustice and oppression through grassroots and student-led activism. We seek to live out the vision of our Christian faith while supporting ecumenism and diversity in spiritual practices. The North American Region is set to re-emerge as a vibrant, functioning entity of the WSCF and to take its place in the continuing struggle for liberation and justice for all peoples. We are non-dogmatic and are accepting of diverse spiritual backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual and gender identities and economic situations.

The weekend of January 30th, 2009 there will be a conference in San Francisco to discuss how movements will be started and organized in the United States. If Friends are so moved as to become involved, this is the event that you should attend. At this event we could determine how we would want the (hypothetical) Quaker Student Movement to be structured, we would bring our concerns and our leadings from our home Meetings (yearly and monthly). This would be the beginning of intentionally structuring communities and local leadership among Young Quakers that could span the branches, and involve Quakers in the re-invention of a United States coalition of progressive Christian/spiritual young people. Simply put: it is all up for discussion, and we can’t have a voice if we don’t come to the table.

HOW THIS MAY SPEAK TO OUR CONDITION
This organization could provide us with a framework to intentionally develop Young Adult Friends and Quaker Student communities on the local level, and network them with other local YAF and QS communities across the nation. There would be leadership opportunities widely available for those so Moved as to try and organize their community. These are just my own ideas, others are welcomed.

With these leadership positions for our generation would come opportunities to engage the wisdom of our elders and ask for their complementary support. It is my sense that an endeavor such as this can only be successful if it is supported on the local community level by our elders. By this I mean that any organizer/clerk of a local unit of the (hypothetical) Quaker Student Movement would be asked to have a support committee of elders AND one particular Mentoring Friend. Moreover, there would be no threat to the current leaders in our communities (who are now living and staying in positions of leadership longer than ever before) because this organization is somewhat outside the structures of the yearly meetings, conferences, etc. In my eyes, this is a huge asset as it provides us the opportunity and flexibility to do things and exercise voice in a way that those other organizations can't, to work together in spite of differences that have pushed those organizations apart, and both challenge the larger community and be tempered by its wisdom.

Also, already existing in the WSCF is a body of older (mostly former-WSCF members) who are referred to as "senior friends"! They range from 35 to 100 years of age and have their own conferences and assemblies to complement the work of the WSCF with their wisdom, networking, and fundraising. They draw tremendous energy from bearing witness to the work of young adults and staying current with the pressing needs of their communities and the world.

In this way it could help us tie Young Adult communities closer to the existing Friends meetings and churches in their locality, which all too often lack roles or relevance for Young Adult Friends. Lastly, as a student organization, high-school students (Young Friends) can participate also, which helps increase the participation and engagement between generations and ensures the continuation of the community structure. Newell Pledger-Shinn put it very aptly when he told me that, "The last thing we need is an isolated young adult ghetto that fails to draw youth up as teens or fails to look both backwards and forwards, as people age but don't change in their essential thirsts and hungers for spiritual food."

If Young Adult Friends became involved in this organization, we could have a structure for upcoming generations to assert collective voice for common causes and values that transcend the differences among Friends. We could have a network to communicate between different local Young Adult and Student communities around the United States. It would also help us engage the wider ecumenical community and provide opportunities to Witness to the power of Quaker principles and processes. Undoubtedly, we would attract some new people to Quakerism through such Witness.

It can strengthen our sense of identity as Quakers by living our Quakerism out in the larger context of the faith-based world. By my experience in the General Assembly I became more and more aware of what unique empowerment Quakerism offers and better understood how to be Quaker "in the world" and the ways it guides me to not be "of the world". It helped me further understand and own my Quaker identity and unique approach to the God/Christian gospel, by exposing me to what else is out there.

I'm sure the emphasis on Christian identity may challenge some of my fellow FGCers and non-theist Friends, but I would point out that this organization understands how complex and personal our relationships with God are in this day and age. Quakers are welcome to participate in this organization because we are a tradition that has grown forth from Christian roots, not because all Quakers are Christian, or use Christian language. This organization is about empowering young people to live out what they believe not telling them what to believe. The diversity of people I encountered there at the general assembly reflected a spectrum of belief and spiritual vocabulary just as diverse as that of Quakerism. It's not a place where people are saying: "wow isn't it great that we're all Christians and good people and can get along in spite of our differences", it's a place where people were saying: "Look how differently we interpret and live out our communion with God revelations! Let's see how our diverse sets of tools from differing interpretations of this relationship with (Christ, Light, God, Spirit, Creator, Liberator, etc.) might better the world in fundamental and profound ways."

HOW WE MIGHT MOVE FORWARD
As I mentioned earlier, there is a conference that will be the jumpstart of the United States region in San Francisco the weekend of Jan. 30th. If Friends feel a Leading to start and organize a local community unit of Quaker Students/Young Adults in their area, then I would suggest they come to this conference, contact me for more information (swil..reveal email..@gmail.com).

I have also thought that it might be helpful for Friends to seek the embrace of their monthly meeting to attend the conference, and this would come in the form of a travelling minute. Any other thoughts are encouraged and welcomed.

Short of coming to the conference, if Friends wanted to support the concept and birth of this structure, I think the first step would be to put the word out in your monthly meeting, in your circles of Friends (both digital and analog) expressing a desire for something like this to be made real. If you can't go, encourage someone in your meeting that might be able to and whom you could envision taking on the role of organizer and servant leader for your community. Perhaps, encourage your meeting to help by financing someone to go.

Thank you for listening. And please help spread the word!

Hey Friends, 

Some of you may have heard about this book that's coming out soon, but if not, check out the info below for ways to get involved. Peace, Emily 

The new Moral Economy Project website explains its history and Quaker connections. Our book, written by an international Quaker team, Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy (forthcoming 2009) suggests a number of global governance measures to meet the threat of climate change, as well as a radical revisioning of economics to make it serve humanit and the biosphere. But it is an invitation to dialogue rather than a prescription handed down by aging white experts from the developed countries. We deem it essential to listen -- to what youth, women, aboriginal peoples and the cultures/faiths of the entire world need to tell us.

We invite YF and YAF to make suggestions for a worldwide environmental/peace/sustainable development network, and to exchange  information about community projects and local actions. An online forum for these exchanges, with possibility for many languages, has been created at http://groups.takingitglobal.org/TMEE. Once you register with this site, you will not only have access to the forum, but also to many other youth groups worldwide (online, face-to-face, local and regional) with similar aims.

Many of you have internet skills. If you have suggestions for improving our networking, using other internet resources, and making the voices of the world heard, please post them on the TMEE forum. We will be delighted to work with you.

You may also contribute to our blog Towards a Moral Economy and to the wiki Building a Culture of Peace. Though intended for Friends, these are open to all people of goodwill.

If you have any further questions or suggestions, please contact Grace Seybold

Last week, I lost a job I'd had for less than a month when the venture collapsed under its own weight. Less than ten minutes later, I got a call from a good friend based in D.C. who said, Sara, we need you here and we need you here now. Swing Semester needs you. We are not only placing students into swing states for the election-cycle and providing them with good Friendly hosts families, we are creating an intergenerational experience, a syllabus for both host families and the students,

Sensing no stops and the abundance of opportunities to change the lives of young people and the course of my country, I said yes, and three days later I was packing my bags, kissing my sweetheart farewell and flying from San Francisco to Washington DC.

On the plane, I thought of Spirit. What does it mean to do political and spiritual work simultaneously? How do we know we are being led by the Spirit? I thought of how fast it all is, making a decision in less than 48 hours to move across the country. Not exactly typical Quaker process. Yet that is what we are asking people to do, to decide, quickly, to go from interest to action. To stop just reading papers and talking to class mates about politics and to go out there and do something. To let their lives speak for what they believe. I am asking young people to do what I did.

It was 2004 and I was ending a glorious year at Quaker Center in California. I was floating and a bit lost as to where to go next. So when a friend recommended Swing Semester, I said, wow! Great!

Flying into Cleveland, Ohio, joining a host family and meeting my house-mate, a wonderful Unitarian, I had no idea what I was in for. Later, we moved into the large Cleveland Meeting House. It was there that I found my sanctuary, and began to understand some of the complexities of faith, politics, American life and my personal daily salvation that I never could have learned through books or if I had stayed in California. Outsiders may not always be particularly welcomed, but being one teaches you things in a way nothing else can.

I pounded on the doors of hundreds of Midwestern Americans of all colors, backgrounds and social classes. I had doors slammed in my face and dogs growl at me. Four years later I still remember the apathy I saw in the eyes peering out from behind the half-cracked door, an apathy that angered me and fueled my entry into journalism and later despair and empowerment work and my over-riding interest in human spiritual development at the communal level.

I also had people welcome me in. I still remember one woman inviting me into her small dining room, giving me a cup of tea and freshly baked cookie, to sit and discuss the ins and outs of voting and these particular candidates. It was delightful.

And then there was the team. There are no bonds like election team bonds. The thrill of elections, the potential to make a difference and to run a good hard clean race can be addicting.

But I suspect my greatest growth came at the meeting house, in the long discussions my housemate and I had about our lives. What was progress, and what was faith, and what was politics? Where were the churches? Where was the community? Why were people not fighting for justice, and a fair economy? Now I ask, why are we not in the streets fighting for a green economy? I sat in silence a lot, pouring over my Faith and Practice, looking for answers in a way I never had before, because never before had I so felt the fate of a nation resting on the work that I, and many others, were doing. I was never as upset that Kerry lost as many of friends back home. I had, after all, acted.

In the end, I realized I was most disturbed by the spiritual questions: why was there so much apathy and so much despair? These are Americans, in the richest country in the world (especially four years ago). Why did they not feel that their voice, their vote, mattered?

And I saw that, on some level, true political development and true human and spiritual development were not separate subjects. Our ability to work together for a common cause and to create the rules, regulations and declarations that will determine our mutual destiny is a key part of our spiritual practice as Quakers, and it is one much needed on a national and international level. We are as we relate, and politics is the realm of relationships.

I also decided that door-to-door canvassing right before an election was not going to change the underlying problems in this country.

So why am I supporting Swing Semester again? Partly because Way Opened. But more than that, Swing semester 2008, unlike 2004, has a syllabus for young people to look deeply into these questions together with their host families and that will lead to greater human development.

And I know there is nothing like going door-to-door far from home to teach you about America. And I believe we are obligated to engage in politics, especially at a time like this, when the very future of life itself hinges on our collective actions.

I remember on the train home, through the glories of mid-November between Chicago and California, the moment that I realized that I am, indeed, a patriot. I love our country. It is not always an easy love.

But we have the potential to create a clean'n'green economy, to facilitate international conversations about climate change and security, to bring cutting edge ideas to the fore in every field, to learn from one another, to be not the best country but a strong and wise country, to have interfaith communities - to hold one another accountable , to pursue truth, freedom, and happiness.

If you would like to participate in Swing Semester, then I humbly invite you to do so. If you know of young people (age 18-26) who might be interested, then I invite you to call them and ask them. It is an adventure - and a service to our country. And may all that we do be of service to God.

www.swingsemester.org

Today we are approaching one of the most exciting and important elections in American history.  This September, Swing Semester is supporting passionate young people in venturing out to swing states for intensive progressive work through the election cycle.  At present, Swing Semester is the sole organization parachuting young people to swing states, where every day will make a difference.
Further, we connect participants with host families to engage in this vital election, provide a leading edge syllabus to incorporate practice with theory, secure participants paying jobs, and link them with like-minded young people (age 18-26).

When we did this in 2004, past participants told us that this program 'changed their life' and 2004 hosts are eager to host again. Join us today to take a stand for the direction of your country.

From interest to action sara...@gmail.org, 510 529 1503

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NRSV). 109 YAF Conference Participants  

It’s amazing to see so many young adults being kindled by the spark/fire of our Quaker tradition. Let’s bring the flame back to our home meetings and churches and let our beacons blaze! –Jeffrey Hipp

This was a good starting point: we learned to love each other so we can begin building the coalition we so desire. –Zachary Dutton

I felt overwhelmed by the presence of the Spirit and awed at the many forms in which all of us have lived its testimony. I see so much more breadth to God that I am humbled to have thought I understood so much about the Divine. –Stephanie Speicher

I felt this weekend was an important journey for myself and others. I was challenged, but held, I made mistakes, but was forgiven, and most vitally, I was held accountable to respond to God’s call for me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. –Stephen Dotson

I heard and felt the presence of God speaking into my heart. I was dismantled, and told to go rebuild myself, to be ready to respond with spiritual ability when I am called. –Gavin White

This conference was a gathering of Friends of all types, all branches and it was very encouraging to witness the coming together of Friends, who have been separated for so long. –Benjamin Pressley

It was full of vitality, yearning, loving, urgency and unity. –Cassie Wright

We are a gathered people, covered, held, fragile and whole, “rising up” good and imperfect. –Blake Lipsett

During this meaningful time together it has been reaffirming for me that the Spirit guides us on our path throughout all seasons of the year. –Lilia Fick

It is incredible to feel Spirit with this community, and I feel my horizons of Quakerism feel so much wider and richer, and I am excited to continue this exploration together. –Jane Broadbent

The conference nourished a deep spiritual hunger in me. I didn’t realize how deep this hunger was until I began to taste of the meal shared by all who were present. –Andrew Banks

An opportunity to be challenged to deepen my faith. –Laura Goren

If Friends are faithful to the spirit they found here, if we act that faith out in our lives, there shouldn’t be any fear that Friends’ love and ministry won’t continue for a long, long time. –Cara Curtis

A covered gathering is the result of intentional expectancy of all participants. I felt that here this weekend. –Kate Newlin

I expected to be refocused. I didn’t expect to be transformed. We are called. –Anonymous

We need to be doing this as much as possible to provide enough space and time for all prophetic witness and communion and growth. We are learning how to be free and Truthful and loving…isn’t that awesome?!?! –Greg Elliot

The energy among all those gathered was so uplifting and infectious I felt almost dizzy from the experience. It was amazing. –Anonymous

The opportunity for self discovery was overwhelming. –Kelly Ackerman

It was a great atmosphere for connecting with others personally and spiritually- there was more of a feel of openness than at Burlington. –Joseph Mendoza

It was great to come together and lay aside some of our fears to play, worship, and learn together. –Jonathan Goff

Liberal unprogrammed. Evangelical. Christ centered. Conservative. We all have ideas and stereotypes about what these titles mean, but at this conference the most important thing we learned is that NO ONE fits neatly into a box. –Ruth Lowe

I truly feel like I am living in the Light when we gather here. –John Lavin

An excellent opportunity to build relationships with Friends from all branches, from around the country. –Johanna R

This is a truly awesome experience for any young adult Friend looking for fellowship, support and fun! –Jennifer Bowman

This conference and what happened here was an answer to my prayers. To be able to meet and speak with Friends about community, our faith, and how we are living and how we desire to live our lives, to practice caring for one another and lifting up our concerns and gifts within a gathered and loving group is what I have hoped for myself, for young people, and for the Religious Society of Friends as a while. I pray we will being this energy, Spirit, Love and Knowing back to our communities, religious and secular alike and set the world alight with this life we have found here. We are finding together. –Carly Fritner

I feel continued gatherings like this are so important to our future, as individuals, and a collective society to continue to build community amongst ourselves and work to grow our faith and live faithfully in the world. –Carly Fritner

The YAF conference was one of the most challenging and formative ways for me to connect with the Spirit across the diversity of our faith. One can feel a visceral sense of purpose and Spirit urgently awaiting realization in our generation. –Anonymous

Good work in beginning young adult exploration of trust, fun and interfaith dialogue. –Anonymous

A transformational experience- it exceeded my expectations and failed to meet my fears. –Seth Barch

The conference allowed me to feel and to experience how God’s love is flowing through all of us, and gave me hope about further dialogue and friendships between all of us. –Anonymous

It was a deeply spiritual and transformational experience of fellowship with bright and faithful friends. –Newell Pledger-Shinn

Young Friends are alive and well. –Anonymous

The YAF conference encouraged me to be open to the similarities and diversities among Friends and helped me to really sit with what I believe and why I hold those beliefs. –Katie Terrell

I think YAF’s are a force to be reckoned with, meaning we have a ministry that will die if it is not nurtured. Sorry to be so fatalistic but that’s what I feel. –Tai Amri Spann-Wilson

Through worship and fellowship, I began to see all the work we have ahead of us as a Society, all the work I have ahead in me as a seeker, how difficult that work will be, and how joyous it can become. –Elias Sanchez-Eppler

This is the future of our society, and it’s good. –Nathan Sebens

Young Adult Friends need this. Friends need this. And we are only beginning. -Noah Baker Merrill

Personally challenging and overwhelming, but amazing to see a society growing and lifting each other up. –Becca Ivanoff

A moving experience which challenged me to grow within and reminded us all to live the unity of our family. –Ravi Joshi

If only young people around the globe felt communion with each other such as this, the world would know peace. –Anonymous

I loved every minute of it. –Mac Lemann

Caroline Anderson(This entry was originally posted on the Friends Committee for National Legislation Intern Blog, Of Peace and Politics, and with Caroline's permission is also posted below.)

At our staff meeting last Monday folks were understandably upset about some of the shenanigans Congress has gotten into lately. Some of the elder staffers were waxing nostalgic for protest movements set to folk tunes, and I could see visions of Bob Dylan and marches on Washington dancing in their heads.

I didn't want to seem flip about the need to oppose current disastrous policies promoted by Congress and the President, but I also wanted to say (in the most respectful way possible) - snap out of it!

How can we get the message to Congress that what they're doing isn't right? By using the methods of the past? Perhaps. But it's going to be awfully hard to find people who are willing to do it.

Who has the time to protest? Not professionals who are the responsible heads of organizations and companies. They can't be spared for enough time to trek to Washington, or devote hours and hours to protesting outside the district offices of their members of Congress. They simply don't have the time. It is instead the youth that must protest, must take the time to park themselves in front of offices and government buildings, and then follow up that demonstration of opinions by actually voting.

But for the large part, my generation doesn't seem to have the will to take time out of their lives and protest. Why? The country is in an even worse mess than we were in 1968, mired in a war and a slumping economy at the same time. And yet we sit at our desks, or go to class, not taking advantage of our right to assemble and protest this awfulness.

Is it that we don't have opinions on these issues?

No, but we have been taught over the past eight years (when most of us were learning about government and first exercising our right to vote) that what we think doesn't matter. That when we want something to change, it won't. That even when we protest, nothing will change. I was on one of the 6 buses that traveled down to Washington from Bryn Mawr in the spring of 2004 to join the March for Women's Lives. That march seemed full of hope and promise, and I felt that we were going to be listened to, to make a difference. And yet, in the years that followed, almost everything we were protesting against that day happened. It gets a girl a bit discouraged.

I remember that after the 2004 election one of the college freshwomen I was advising reported to me that she reacted to the results of the elections in this manner:

"Caroline, first I cried, then I threw up, and then I cried some more."

This is not the reaction of someone who is apathetic toward the issues. What it is is the reaction of someone who feels helpless, who feels that all she can do is cry and get sick, because her vote and her actions won't make any difference.

As we moved out of college and into the real world, the economy tanked. I think this pushed us even more firmly into offices and safe jobs and away from mass marches. If we turned our backs on employment and steady income to protest or organize we would fall behind, not find another job, be consumed by the tidal waves of the failing economy. The closest I ever came to organizing was canvassing for New Jersey PIRG and the Sierra Club, a job which I took and threw all my energy into for the paycheck as much as for the satisfaction of protecting the environment. We also know that we're pretty much on our own for retirement. We can't count on Social Security or a pension to protect us there.

We also feel deeply angry that the generation who caused global warming is not doing anything to stop it (We mean you President Bush, the House of Representative, and the Senate), leaving us with a problem that threatens our and our children's future.

Ultimately, we're mad as hell, but afraid to do anything about it. When the environment is failing, the military gets more money than education or healthcare and is still over extended, and there's little hope for the economy, the first instinct is to protect ourselves. And that's what we're doing.

Clearly I'm not presenting any solutions here, and my parents' might think that I'm whining about my situation. But darn it. How do you expect young people to work up the will to protest when we are mired in a malaise that seemingly has no end? Also, we can't afford the gas to come to Washington and the national train system is too slow and expensive to do the job.

Query for Friends: How do you witness or protest in your life?