Friendship Brackets and Political Passion at the Democratic Convention
Stations for Making Friendship Brackets
At the recent Democratic Convention, several groups set up stations where attendees could make their own friendship bracelets. Among the groups present were ActBlue, a Democratic fund-raising organization; NextGen America, a youth-focused progressive group that brought 89,000 beads to the convention; and Voters of Tomorrow, a left-leaning group that focuses on reaching out to members of Generation Z.
Bayly Hoehne: Chief of Staff at Voters of Tomorrow
Bayly Hoehne, 16, the chief of staff at Voters of Tomorrow, attended the convention from London, where she had recently seen Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. She noted an overlap in enthusiasm for Ms. Swift and Ms. Harris among Gen Z-ers, including some who are not yet eligible to vote. Hoehne believes that the Swiftie community is just one part of a larger movement, with many young people excited to elect Kamala Harris.
Other Companies Offering Friendship Brackets
Other companies, such as Social Currant, were also present at the convention. Social Currant facilitates relationships between advocacy groups and creators on social media and gave out friendship bracelets with phrases like "save democracy" and "balls to the Walz." Vidyut Ghuwalewala, 23, a founder of the company, explained that the bracelets’ shareable nature makes them an effective message-spreading tool. The idea is that attendees give one bracelet to a friend and keep one for themselves.
Nostalgia and Broader Appeal
The nostalgia that friendship bracelets evoke helped to broaden their appeal among Ms. Swift’s fans. At her concerts, the bracelets could be spotted on adults and children alike. Sari Beth Rosenberg, 49, a high-school teacher in New York City and senior adviser at Voters of Tomorrow, believed that the bracelets resonated at the convention for similar reasons. The nostalgia factor helped to create a sense of community and shared experience among attendees.
Conclusion
The use of friendship bracelets as a way to spread messages and build community is a powerful tool in politics. The ability to create a physical connection between people and a cause can be a powerful motivator. The enthusiasm and energy of the attendees at the Democratic Convention are a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and the importance of engaging with young people in the political process.
FAQs
Q: What were the different groups offering friendship bracelets at the convention?
A: ActBlue, NextGen America, and Voters of Tomorrow were among the groups offering friendship bracelets at the convention.
Q: What were some of the phrases featured on the Social Currant friendship bracelets?
A: Phrases like "save democracy" and "balls to the Walz" were featured on the Social Currant friendship bracelets.
Q: Why do you think the friendship bracelets resonated with attendees at the convention?
A: The nostalgia that friendship bracelets evoke helped to broaden their appeal among Ms. Swift’s fans. The bracelets created a sense of community and shared experience among attendees.
Q: What is the goal of Social Currant’s friendship bracelets?
A: The goal is that attendees give one bracelet to a friend and keep one for themselves, spreading the message and building connections.
