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A review by jenny_librarian
How to Start a Revolution: Young People and the Future of American Politics by Lauren Duca
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
4 ⭐️
Lauren Duca is a Millenial and, as such, has a bone to settle with the generations that came before. Like most Millenials, she feels cheated by those in power who act as if her generation - OUR generation - isn't important. I agree wholeheartedly with her, and think that this book is a new political bible for American Millenials and Gen Z.
If, like many young Americans, you didn't wake up until 2016 to realize that politics are going straight into a wall, this is a perfect starting point to change things around. As Duca mentions in the very beginning of her book, politics has always looked like football to most people:
But Millenials and Gen Z are changing things around, and Duca gives numerous examples of young people becoming involved in politics, whether by educating others or by running for different seats themselves.
With the typical sarcasm known to Millenials, Lauren Duca defines the Industrical-Political Complex and Gatekeeping, explores privilege and explains why old white men wearing boat shoes hold the keys to important offices. She also drags Carlson Tucker (and damn! that tea is HOT!) and other conservatively biased people who try to "own the libs" regularly - although the only thing they usually manage is to make themselves look like perfect idiots.
But don't think Duca is completely detached from the debate. Her parents are conservatives through and through, who voted for Trump without a second thought. Part of this book is about Duca's journey to try and educate her parents as to why not talking about politics is bad. Hint: her father does see the light eventually. She doesn't tell them to vote Democrat, but rather shows them how to evaluate and verify the credibility of their sources, and then form their own opinion from there.
This is why I qualify Duca's book as the new political bible. Not only does she take a feminist approach to politics and doesn't hesitate to drag those who would rather keep the status quo, she also gives incredibly good advice to those who seek to become better citizens and political activists. As she says "[w]e have to actively engage with the political questions that define our lives, debating policy, pressuring those who make the rules, and demanding a voice in the process, or our freedom is but an illusion." (p.35)
In the end, Lauren Duca is just another 20-something who likes politics and Ariana Grande's style equally. And while some gatekeepers would like to make us think those things are mutually exclusive and therefore cancel any relevance her opinion might have, let us not forget that those same people believe golf is a more respectable hobby than nail art - as if the latter wasn't objectively harder.
So, fellow young people, if you need a push in the back to start your own campaign or get involved, this is it. Live long and prosper, young padawans! (yes, I am aware those are from two different fandoms)
[Quote references are from the advance reading copy. Final editions might differ.]
4 ⭐️
Lauren Duca is a Millenial and, as such, has a bone to settle with the generations that came before. Like most Millenials, she feels cheated by those in power who act as if her generation - OUR generation - isn't important. I agree wholeheartedly with her, and think that this book is a new political bible for American Millenials and Gen Z.
If, like many young Americans, you didn't wake up until 2016 to realize that politics are going straight into a wall, this is a perfect starting point to change things around. As Duca mentions in the very beginning of her book, politics has always looked like football to most people:
"Every four years, everyone would gather around for the election, or as I came to understand it, "the big game."[...] Without intricate knowledge of the inner workings of the sport, you might watch along with half interest, mostly to see who was going to win. (Also, obviously, the men were always yelling louder than anyone else.)" (p.1)
But Millenials and Gen Z are changing things around, and Duca gives numerous examples of young people becoming involved in politics, whether by educating others or by running for different seats themselves.
With the typical sarcasm known to Millenials, Lauren Duca defines the Industrical-Political Complex and Gatekeeping, explores privilege and explains why old white men wearing boat shoes hold the keys to important offices. She also drags Carlson Tucker (and damn! that tea is HOT!) and other conservatively biased people who try to "own the libs" regularly - although the only thing they usually manage is to make themselves look like perfect idiots.
But don't think Duca is completely detached from the debate. Her parents are conservatives through and through, who voted for Trump without a second thought. Part of this book is about Duca's journey to try and educate her parents as to why not talking about politics is bad. Hint: her father does see the light eventually. She doesn't tell them to vote Democrat, but rather shows them how to evaluate and verify the credibility of their sources, and then form their own opinion from there.
This is why I qualify Duca's book as the new political bible. Not only does she take a feminist approach to politics and doesn't hesitate to drag those who would rather keep the status quo, she also gives incredibly good advice to those who seek to become better citizens and political activists. As she says "[w]e have to actively engage with the political questions that define our lives, debating policy, pressuring those who make the rules, and demanding a voice in the process, or our freedom is but an illusion." (p.35)
In the end, Lauren Duca is just another 20-something who likes politics and Ariana Grande's style equally. And while some gatekeepers would like to make us think those things are mutually exclusive and therefore cancel any relevance her opinion might have, let us not forget that those same people believe golf is a more respectable hobby than nail art - as if the latter wasn't objectively harder.
So, fellow young people, if you need a push in the back to start your own campaign or get involved, this is it. Live long and prosper, young padawans! (yes, I am aware those are from two different fandoms)
[Quote references are from the advance reading copy. Final editions might differ.]