HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —
Around the world, now more than ever, young people are stepping up and speaking out against injustice. Some of them are right here in the Valley.
We talked to a few teens who launched their very own website to get other young people talking about what’s going on in the world.
We spoke to Austen Wyche, the 15 year old Founder of TeenView.Net. He says, “We can’t rely on people who have tried to solve the issues for too long and haven’t gotten anything accomplished. But, we need to actually try to accomplish it ourselves.”
That’s exactly what 15 year-old Austin Wyche and Kushi Patel, and 14 year old Shreya Sunil say they’re doing with the launch of their 'non-partisan' website, “The Teen View”.
A big reason behind launching the site? To get young people excited about casting their votes in the future.
Austen Wyche tells our reporter, “When young people are informed about these issues, we form our own opinions on them-- we are more motivated to vote.”
Shreya Sunil, Co-editor of TeenView.Net, says, “I think it can bring change to the world. And the future generations that come after us.”
And they’re not alone. With the help of a diverse group of their classmates at James Clemens High School in Madison, they write op-ed articles about current events and issues. Topics range from institutional racism, to LGBTQ+ rights-- even abortion.
Austen Wyche says,“To anyone who says that we’re too young to talk about these issues: We need to learn about these issues because that is how we are actually going to bring change.”
The killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department has dragged issues of racism and police brutality out into the light. And they say now is the time for people-- of all ages-- to speak out, even if they didn’t before.
Austen Wyche tells our reporter, “If you didn’t realize what was going on with Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner, that’s okay. We need to move forward now. What we need to do is we need to use our voices and we need to get educated on the issues that matter-- especially with injustices in our country.”
And as three young people of color, this is an issue close to their hearts. And they say, their race and international heritage, are things they’re made aware of every day.
Shreya Sunil says, “I come from a family of immigrants and I immigrated here like 10 years ago.”
Austen Wyche adds, “We have unique life experiences that we face based off of our skin color.”
They even discuss divisions of status among different groups of immigrants that exist because of our nation’s policies.
Khushi Patel, Co-Founder of TeenView.Net says, “My family is kind of considered like the model minority of America… And I feel like I have had a lot of opportunities because of that.”
They say “The Teen View” is an open platform and they encourage other young people to build their own and help shape the future.
Khushi Patel says, “If you truly believe in it, then it will go far.”
Austen Wyche adds,“When enough people say something… people in charge will listen.
To visit The Teen View site, click here.