Often the word millennials is spat, almost like an insult. Then pair that with party affiliations being hurled out as harsh critiques (those liberals or the conservatives) and you’ve got a generation whom at first glance seems completely disinterested with the political arena.
But a group of millennials in the state Capitol are joining a national movement to bring awareness of the political process to young people.
“We’re here to say millennials in this legislature are not at the kids’ table,” said Steven Olikara, Co-Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “They’re acting like the adults in the room.”
The Mississippi Future Caucus, made up of the state’s lawmakers under 40, is aiming to bring back calm, bipartisan discourse of the issues, whether both sides of the aisle agree or not.
The caucus is co-chaired by Republican Rep. Toby Barker and Democratic Rep. Jeramey Anderson. 10 years ago, Barker became the first millennial to ever be elected to the House.
Two years ago, Anderson became the youngest member of the state legislature to ever be elected at the age of 21.
Barker said the goal is to show that there is hope for the future of Mississippi, and that millennials should get involved.
“Don’t get cynical,” said Barker. “They’re (millennials) are not the Mississippi of the future, they’re the Mississippi of today.”
