Naomi Wolf's Inbox

Readers Talk Back on Young People and Civic Engagement

The following are edited excerpts of some of the letters sent to Naomi Wolf in response to her Outlook article, "Hey, Young Americans, Here's a Text for You."

UPDATE Nov. 30: Naomi Wolf answers the letters.

Dear Ms. Wolf,

I hate to agree with the cliche that young people are just ignorant American Idol droolers, but for the majority it's unfortunately true. Most of my friends would rather watch Grey's Anatomy than the State of the Union. Maybe it's an escape from trashy major news media or from the hypocrisy of our (most publicized) politicians, but escape doesn't fix things.

I've daydreamed about joining a protest, or forming some group to fight the embarrassing and dangerous steps our current administration is taking to lock down our country, but they always remain daydreams. I ache for the tiniest spark of revolution, but the few protests I've passed on the way to class always seem so useless. Never covered by anyone but the school paper, filled with people more interested in the bohemian aura than the political effect.

I'm 21 years old, I read the papers, I vote, I'm applying to law school next year--but I still feel so helpless in preventing any of the vast and unapproachable bad decisions being made by people I can't respect. "All of these legacies have left the young feeling depressed, cynical and powerless." Indeed!

Sincerely,

Taylor House

Ms. Wolf,

As a young, ignorant, college-educated American, I want to help myself and my country. I have often heard and thought "And there's nothing we can do!" What can I do to learn more about how our government works and how to protect both our population and my family?

Thank you,

Natalie Paley