The Future Speaks: Youth Voices Unfiltered

What if the future stopped waiting for its turn? This month on The UPLift, we’re handing the mic to six Youth Transformed for Life (YTL) members—and they’re not here to play nice. No filters. No watered-down talking points. Just unshakable truth about identity, belonging, and what community should look like, online and off.

From calling out policies that box people out to reimagining community care, these young voices cut straight to the heart of it, moving from broken systems to personal perspectives: moments of exclusion, flashes of solidarity, and the kind of hope only raw, lived experience can bring.

The takeaway? Youth aren’t “leaders of tomorrow”: they’re leading now. And they’re inviting you to actually listen.

Ready to hear the next generation’s unfiltered take on a fractured world and how they’re piecing it back together? Press play.

Special thanks and much love to Carmen, Au'deiah, Akelia, Daymon, Jimmy, and Kayde-Mae for letting us into your world.

We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:04

We're profoundly, profoundly interconnected. We don't always live that way, we don't always acknowledge it, but if we're going to heal, we have to live it, experience it and create institutions that celebrate it Can we create a we where no one's on the outside of it. Welcome to the Uplift with Zedek Real talk for real change.

Speaker 2 0:24

Before we jump in, a quick reminder of why we're here and what we hope to achieve. We're here to build authentic community relationships and help fuel social transformation in Asheville, North Carolina. We believe collective liberation is not only possible but probable as we share, listen and learn together. We're here for the process. However, the views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. Welcome to the Uplift. For this episode, we've handed the mic over to the voices shaping our tomorrow. At the heart of today's conversation is one question who gets to belong? Our youth panel is unpacking immigration, identity and the meaning of community, all in their own words and from their own experience. Let's jump in.

Speaker 3 1:09

Today we are lifting the voices of our youth. I'm your host, carmen, and today we're tackling a big one the impact of the Trump presidency on our country and world. I'm excited to be joined by four amazing guests.

Speaker 1 1:20

My name is Akilia. Yeah, I'm looking forward to this discussion.

Speaker 4 1:24

My name is Ardea and thanks for having us, Carmen.

Speaker 5 1:28

My name is Jimmy and thank you for having us on this podcast.

Speaker 6 1:31

My name is Katie May and I'm thankful to be here.

Speaker 3 1:34

So, when it comes to the DEI policies that have been stripped away or targeted in this administration, what do y'all think about diversity, equity and inclusion, and what does it mean to you and why do you think it's important?

Speaker 1 1:51

Even if we're separated, we should have access to the same opportunities.

On Youth Advocacy

Speaker 5 1:55

I believe that diversity, equity and inclusion is something that's very important for the United States to come together as a whole, because diversity allows for different settings to be. Diversity, equity and inclusion to me means that everybody gets an equitable chance and opportunity, no matter their skin color, height or weight. It can be from a black student to a white student not getting the same education opportunities because of their skin color, because of their perceived knowledge, or being stereotyped, or it could be from a short person being able to reach the same heights as a tall person. I also believe that resources are very important so that everybody can get the same equitable chance.

Speaker 3 2:38

Thank you all for your responses. Moving on to our next question, in your opinion, how can young people advocate for equitable treatment in their communities?

Speaker 4 2:47

They can advocate in partnership with their communities and fundraising to help better the community.

Speaker 3 2:53

Katie Mae do you have any thoughts on that question?

Speaker 6 2:56

I feel that people can advocate for themselves continuously to get what they need, and we should be more resourceful and lean on our community more often.

Speaker 3 3:05

Thank, you all. Moving on to our next issue immigration. With all of the protests here in Asheville surrounding immigration and throughout the United States, what are your thoughts on the current state of immigration policies in our country?

Speaker 5 3:19

I think that, since this is said to be the land of the free, that anybody from any race or any background should have the opportunity to come to this land and have a rightful chance to work and make a career or make some out of their life, whether it be in the United States or wherever they wanted to be.

Speaker 1 3:37

I think that we should create opportunities for other people to come into the United States and live a better life and be able to go back to their original country and have what they need.

Speaker 3 3:49

Akilia. It looks like you have more to say. So as an example like Biltmore to Jamaica.

Speaker 1 3:55

They give contracts to Jamaican people to come here to work for a couple months. Or you could like run off to be here in the United States. So, as I'm saying, you could like run off to be here in the United States. So, as I'm saying, you could like have another program or the same program to different immigrants to come here and work.

Speaker 6 4:12

Well, my feelings have changed a lot, because I feel that things have gotten a lot worse since Trump has been in office, because before Trump, a lot of immigrant families who had children in the country, their children were automatically considered citizens in America. He is changing the rules and now those children may be deported with their parents. Many immigrants are now having home births because of fear that their children will be labeled and deported.

Speaker 3 4:42

Those are some pretty heavy things to deal with when it comes to immigration. Thank you all for sharing those, and we have one more question surrounding immigration what role do you think youth can play in supporting immigrant rights?

Speaker 1 4:56

We can protest and stand in unity with them, because they are human beings too and have the rights to be in the land of free.

Speaker 4 5:04

We can educate ourselves on immigration policies and rights so we are better prepared to support our peers.

Speaker 3 5:11

Do you all think we could do any other things to support our immigration population?

On LGBTQIA Rights

Speaker 1 5:17

We could do like a fundraiser to help them like to process stuff. So if they want to go back to their original country, we could do like a fundraiser or a yard sale to give them the money so when they go back to their country they have what they want or need. So the children can have a better education, they can have a better workspace and everything. Thank you all for your responses.

Speaker 3 5:40

So, during this presidential term, lgbtqia rights have been almost the center of policy change right now, and among the most impacted population are youth. What do you think are the biggest challenges faced by trans youth today?

Speaker 4 5:56

I feel like they don't feel accepted by their families and communities because people like to judge and parents don't really agree with them transitioning or being a part of the LGBTQIA community and people like in schools like to bully them because of it, and I feel like that's one of the main challenges.

Speaker 5 6:14

I agree with that too. I feel like a big problem is that they don't feel like, or the society is not supporting them to the point where they feel like normal. Society has not supported them to the point where they feel like normal. It's just natural to just go to school and just meet new people without them having an extra judgment or opinion on you because of a decision that you decided to make that was maybe best for you, and they might not ever understand that because they're not in the same shoes as you are.

Speaker 3 6:39

How do you all think the current presidency has impacted how comfortable trans youth are?

Speaker 6 6:46

Personally, I don't believe that Trump or someone in that higher power should be able to tell people what to do with their own bodies, Because if you're not comfortable in the meat sack you're stuck in, you should be able to change it. Because if you go out and you buy clothes that don't fit right or have the wrong type of fabric, someone shouldn't be able to tell you no, you have to stay in those exact clothes. You should be able to go out and change what you need.

Speaker 4 7:17

I totally agree with that. I feel like like just because like you're higher up doesn't mean you can dictate what younger or people on a lower level is like trying to do with their bodies or how like they are trying to change, because some kids they're still trying to find themselves too and they really go off based off what their parents want and not really what they want. So when they try to go to what they want, the president and people in higher grounds are dictating that and they're more scared to like come out now. Thank you all for your responses.

Speaker 3 7:57

We have one more question regarding LGBTQIA rights. In your view, how can we foster acceptance and understanding of trans identities among young people.

Speaker 1 8:06

Well, I feel it's their choice to be who they are, and we are all humans, so we shouldn't judge one another. If that makes them happy, they should be able to choose that, and other people should not be able to make that decision for them.

Speaker 6 8:21

Yeah, and most trans people aren't comfortable in their own skin. For example, a lot of people have come to the understanding that they aren't comfortable with the gender they were assigned with at birth and other people shouldn't be bothered with their decisions because it's not affecting them, but the person who's transitioning, because it's not affecting them, but the person who's transitioning.

Speaker 4 8:42

I agree with that one too. It's like what I said before People shouldn't dictate what you want to be or anything. If you're not comfortable with the gender you are, then you can transition. It's not their decision, but it's yours, because it's your body and you know what you want.

On Freedom

Speaker 5 8:59

Yeah, I know your body and you know what you want.

Speaker 3 9:01

Yeah, I know, After our questions surrounding DEI, immigration and the LGBTQIA community, would you all like to add any final thoughts? Akilah, let's start with you.

Speaker 1 9:11

I feel like if you made a choice, if you want to change it, you can. It's your choice. Nobody has that power or option to change it for you. It's who you want to be and who you are destined to be. Thank you.

Speaker 3 9:24

Jimmy.

Speaker 5 9:25

I'm just thinking that freedom of choice should be something that's normal. You should be able to travel if you want to. You should be able to change something about you if you want to. It's an option that should be up to you.

Speaker 4 9:35

Adea, I feel like what Jimmy said. It is supposedly a free place, but when people come here, they're trying to get access to be here Right, but that process takes a while and it's harder for them to get that access. And when they try to get that access, there's ice and they come and take them away when they're trying to get access to be here. And what Akilia said also, you shouldn't go off on what people want you to be. If you want to be something, then you can be something and you shouldn't let nobody dictate on what you want to be. You have a voice to advocate for yourself and you should definitely use it. Thank you, aldea. Katie Mae.

Speaker 6 10:23

Yeah, I've agreed with this entire conversation. Plenty of people have voices that don't speak out and keep it in their head. Coming out here today has given us all the opportunity to put our voices out there and speak our minds. Everyone has their own opinions. Everyone has great opinions, except for Nazis. I believe we can all change something if we try.

Speaker 3 10:51

Thank you, I really appreciate all of your responses. You all have added a lot to our conversation today. Thank you all for being a part of this conversation. It's really important to me to hear from the youth about these topics, being that I don't hear a lot of people in my age group talking about DEI or immigration, especially LGBTQIA rights. I think these are topics that we should all be talking about more often and be bringing youth into this conversation to hear their voices, so I really appreciate y'all being extremely vocal and being able to show up in this space at this time. Your insights are valuable and it's important that we continue these conversations.

Speaker 6 11:35

I know that a lot of sucky things are happening to a lot of good people. It's just not fair for a lot of people to be profiled or put under labels or just controlled overall because do what you want, free will. It's in the Constitution.

Speaker 5 11:53

Yeah, I really believe in free will a lot too. But it can be hard to come by in America, especially when you have a lot of things going against you and you're not the ideal American. So if, say, if you're a Hispanic person looking for health treatment, you can't speak English, it would be a lot more difficult to get the health needs that you wanted to get.

Speaker 4 12:13

I mean, I feel like ever since President Trump became president, everything has been going down, a lot of things has been happening and it's not normal at all like now. There are like a lot of wars too, and then now like america's getting into it, and it's just like it's not normal at all.

Speaker 5 12:33

I feel like normal is what you're used to. It can be different for every person, but I don't think nobody is used to what's going on right now at all, and it's very negative today. Yeah, what y'all think.

Speaker 3 12:44

I think this is disrupting community. These policies are like anti-community and they pit different communities against one another. So we can't stand together in numbers and I think that is a downfall and that is where we're headed right now. And if we don't unify and bring our youth together and have conversations like this to hear from y'all, to hear from other populations that we may not magnify as much, as the conversation shifts from policy to personal experience, damon grabs a mic adding his perspective to the mix.

On Inclusion

Speaker 2 13:18

What's up yo?

Speaker 3 13:19

So to get started, can you share an experience where you felt included or excluded in social or in educational setting?

Speaker 1 13:27

When I started school, like there's a set of kids that I had a problem because it was first game, because they're alive, but I'm like we're still human beings. Who are you different from me? Nobody's perfect. They start being racist and all that.

Speaker 3 13:39

So you were experiencing a bit of colorism. Yes, that's a crazy experience. Thank you for sharing that, akilia.

Speaker 7 13:50

And I can relate to that a little bit too. I kind of experienced the opposite of that. So I get the you're not black enough or you're not dark enough comment way too often when I was in school and people used to make fun of me and try to say that I was white. So I used to have a lot, of, a lot of arguments and a lot of big feelings about like just not feeling accepted by either community, that I was a part of both of them.

On Social Media

Speaker 3 14:05

So I've had similar experiences. I've actually talked more with youth about their experiences with colorism and like their negative images of themselves. I think it's really paralleling. In our generation, we thought, ok, maybe younger kids won't experience this, but they still experience it and it's. It's scary because nothing has truly changed when it comes to like middle school dichotomy and like what kids experience and what they create in their own communities. So, akilia and damon, thank you again for sharing. Moving on to our next question, what role do you think social media plays in shaping perceptions of diversity and inclusion Since COVID-19, like how a lot has changed by representing everything.

Speaker 1 14:50

But social media is really like a strong topic is all about because it helps our community and also haunts our community.

Speaker 6 14:57

I believe that social media is taking a hard toll on kids and younger individuals because like it is somewhere they can put stuff out and express themselves, but also people behind screens can just like throw insults and accuse people of things. They can just be like super rude to people trying to express themselves, but they can't have any repercussion, like there's no direct consequences for someone being mean online, right? Yeah, because you can't really pinpoint it.

Speaker 3 15:33

So social media has had a hard toll on kids because of its negative influences? Yeah, so what are some other ways social media plays a role in the lives you all live?

Speaker 1 15:44

This generation grew up in social media, in certain stuff that we shouldn't be seeing, we're seeing.

Speaker 7 15:50

What is your opinion on peer pressure when it comes to social media?

Speaker 1 15:53

Well, I'm different. I'll say that People can't really influence me to do stuff, but that's my choice. If I want to follow that, I'd rather be a leader than a follower. But everybody's different. Everybody's doing vegan. People make mistakes and you can go for your mistakes.

Speaker 7 16:07

I agree, I definitely agree. I feel like social media is beneficial and harmful. Just for example, I'm 25 and I receive bullying or hate speech online all the time, where people are coming underneath my comments or under my posts just to spread hate when they really didn't have to. They just decided today's the day they're going to take time out of their day to be mean to somebody else. And then I also have the other end of it where, like, I post something and I receive a lot of love and it makes me feel good, it gives you those feelings of like oh, I feel supported. But With our youth, social media is doing more harm than good, simply because it's taking away from that finding your true, your true self or your own identity. I definitely can see both sides.

Speaker 3 16:49

I agree with you. I think social media is like entrenched the younger generation in, like things that they are not equipped with digesting and even using to their own volition. I think that's incredibly dangerous and a threat to like even your own like expression, like you were saying, like they don't even have their own avenues of exploration because they're entrenched in what everyone else is producing and putting online and that changes their perceptions and it changes how they interact with one another. I would say that social media plays a large role in shaping diversity and inclusion, because it sets the tone for what is acceptable, diversity wise. It tells the youth what is acceptable and they move on those concepts.

Speaker 7 17:34

And even then, just to add to that, there's this thing about like how the algorithm will work against you when it comes to trying to get your content with more views. And there's a lot of like talk with black creators on TikTok or people of color, where they feel that that social media platform is less likely to promote their content versus non people of color who get a lot more views or they don't have to pay to promote their, their posts for it to get the same amount of audience. So I definitely agree even with just like in the apps themselves, diversity and inclusion could be a little better for sure.

Speaker 3 18:08

Thank you for that. What resources or support systems do you believe are essential for the well-being of the youth?

Speaker 6 18:14

A lot of support systems that are actually helping youth are things that are preparing them for their next step in life, like giving them school supplies or giving them resources to make money, or the food connections truck that comes down to the church and hands out free dinners so people can save more on other things they need, and just like help boost people up so they can actually make a living At Grace Confident.

Speaker 1 18:44

They have resources that they give us for the community and every Wednesday at William Randolph they got catering and school supplies for homes.

Speaker 3 18:55

Y'all have recognized community centers where you can access resources. Are there any resources that you all are using now?

Speaker 4 19:02

Kids are using mental health resources, because some kids struggle with mental health and they like don't want to talk to like parents or families about it. Are there any other?

Speaker 6 19:12

resources. There's a resource room at my school. They have clothes, food, shoes, book bags, all different types like that.

Speaker 3 19:22

When I was in school they had these things but they were like you got to be like down bad.

Speaker 5 19:28

Down bad.

On Mental Health

Speaker 3 19:29

Like your family has to be like struggling to have access to the resources. I think one thing I recognize now is that there's more preparation before families get there to where they're absolutely struggling. There's more support before families get to to where they're absolutely struggling. There's more support before families get to their last resort. And there are more organizations like YTL. Y'all are actually partaking in a resource that enriches youth over the summer to bridge gaps and propel you all forward in the upcoming school year. What do you think are some of your biggest challenges in your life, in your daily life? Rolling out of bed? Why is that hard for?

Speaker 6 20:05

you, Katie Mae, Because I know outside of my room there's people and judgmental looks and loud noises and I'd rather stay in a safe cocoon.

Speaker 3 20:16

Glad you shared your perspective.

Speaker 1 20:17

Anyone else, what are some challenges you face daily as a youth People being disrespectful, bad color of your skin, the way you look, the way you act, getting hate.

Speaker 4 20:26

What kind of hate? Because, like some people think that, like young people don't have like mental health challenges and stuff, they don't know nothing about it. But like kids, they have a lot of stuff that they have to carry on their backs and stuff and it'd be hard for them sometimes and people don't think they have mental health issues. Right.

Speaker 3 20:46

I would like to add that there is a lot of dismissal of youth's emotions. I know I say, and some of my peers say, kids have big emotions but small bodies and we kind of shrink our emotions and we kind of sit on them longer because we think we're older and we think we can deal with them better or bear the fight longer than we have to. So I think it's important that you just shared that, aldea. It's important that we give youth the microphone and have an opportunity to speak about how they feel and how the world around them is moving and how they think that impacts them and if they think it impacts them, because there's a lot of stuff happening in the world right now that some people are extremely removed from. So I think it's great that you all are in tune and present in the conversation.

Speaker 7 21:31

I have a question to add to that one. In y'all's current daily lives, do y'all feel like y'all emotions matter?

Speaker 6 21:38

I do feel like my emotions are made important by other people, because I have a lot of good friends that will advocate for me even when I don't, and I do the same for them, because I'm scared of conflict when it's towards me, but I will stand up for other people. It's really kind of weird because I hate talking about myself, but if my friend needs help, I'm going to stand up for them, because I hate talking about myself, but if my friend needs help, I'm going to stand up for them, and I have a lot of really great connections throughout the community and my own family.

Speaker 7 22:08

I can definitely agree with you, katie. I'm the same way. I can talk about other people's problems all day long. As soon as you bring up mine, I'm mute Quiet. But why do you think that is, though? I feel like I have a pretty good answer, but for you, why do you feel like that is?

Speaker 6 22:21

I feel like it's because I have a sense of needing to please people and needing to be there for people to lean on, but if I lean on them, it's a burden.

Speaker 7 22:35

Well, thank you for sharing For real Right, because that hits.

Speaker 6 22:38

You said you feel the same way, so when y'all feel like y'all have nobody to lean on, how do y'all handle that? I curl up in corners and lay there till it goes away. Then I get up and eat food.

Speaker 1 22:50

I just sit there listening to music for the whole time.

Speaker 7 22:53

Music is a big one for me. When I was a kid as dumb as this sounds I used to punch things. So, yeah, learn real quick. That's not a smart. I don't know why we're saying clock. That is not a smart choice. I was y'all's age, 11 to like 16. I used to punch things. Well, no, up until college. So at 18 is the first time I broke my hand. A year later, exactly a year, not even 365 days I did the exact same thing on a stall door. That second time was, for me, was like you need to find better ways to deal with your anger or deal with emotions in general, because for me it was push them down until I forgot about them.

Speaker 3 23:30

You all have mentioned a few things here, one being you like to be the person people lean on, instead of the other way around, where you lean on others. Do you think there is a time that you have felt like you could lean on others? What does community mean to you all People that are?

Speaker 6 23:46

there for you when you need help or support.

Speaker 4 23:51

Coming together as one.

Speaker 3 23:53

So you all shared that you feel sometimes like a burden or you don't want to be a burden to your friends or to your community.

Speaker 3 24:01

So I would like to correct something here in this little setting here, there's so much more that you all can do.

Speaker 3 24:08

It's extremely disheartening to hear that you all sometimes feel like a burden, with your big emotions and your little bodies, because you're entitled to just as much freedom to speak as we are as adults, and that's why you all are here today, because we value your opinion and we value your thoughts.

Speaker 3 24:24

We value your voice, we value your experiences, and that's something that we would like to hear more of, because a lot of times I was speaking about this previously we don't give kids the light that they deserve to change the world, because we have the largest opportunity to learn from the youth, and that's one of the opportunities we neglect the most, especially when it comes to like forming policies and forming larger senses of community. We do more to keep our kids busy instead of hearing from them and truly allowing them to have an impact on what we've got going on in community. So I really want to applaud you all for being here and sharing your experiences with us, because it's really important that you do, and I hope that being here will change your perspective on your role in changing your community, because you have a very large one.

Speaker 7 25:16

Just to piggyback off what she's saying. I feel like me and her both grew up kind of feeling the same way, where in many, many situations we felt like there was nothing we can do and you just got to deal with whatever situation you're in. Sometimes that will be the case and it'll just be. It is what it is. But most of the time, like she was saying, you have power. You have power in every community that you're in to be a part of that community and to implement change if you want to.

Wrap UP

Speaker 7 25:41

So, for example, in your school community, if you feel like there's something unfair happening, use your voice, Speak on it. And it could be in different ways. It could be make a little petition and go around and get different classmates to sign it to let them know that, hey, class monitors should have to follow the same rules as non-class monitors. You make enough noise, you take it to the principals. You can change the whole narrative of the entire school just by one voice stepping up and collecting and making and meeting other voices and then y'all coming together. The way society is set up is like, yes, we're supposed to feel like we have no power. You have power, you just got to learn ways and use your ways to make that power be known.

Speaker 3 26:20

I will also add that there's strength in numbers and you don't know other people feel like you feel until you get to talking to other people. You don't know other people are in the same boat as you until you get to talking to them. That's why it's extremely important to connect with your community. That's why it's extremely important to connect with the youth and connect with other youth, because y'all go through some of the same experiences. To connect with the youth and connect with other youth because y'all go through some of the same experiences. And it's important for you all to connect with generations that are far off from you, because they'll teach you things and prepare you for things that you may feel already charged with changing. So, again, thank you all for sharing your experiences and being open to change and being open to being part of that change. Again, thank you all for being part of this conversation, of reaching out to the youth to hear about your experiences, the way you all cope, the way you all navigate diversity, equity, inclusion, your perceptions of these things, your perceptions of community. These things are extremely valued in this space. We want to thank our listeners for tuning in to Uplift and hearing our youth be uplifted today. Again.

Speaker 3 27:28

My name is Carmen and I'm here with Daymon.

Speaker 7 27:32

What's up y'all? Thank you for listening.

Speaker 3 27:34

Aldea, thank you for having us, akilia.

Speaker 1 27:37

Thank you for having us and Katie Mae, I'm in the home. Katie Mae, katie's getting them. Katie Mae, I'm in the home. Katie Mae, katie Scandam, it works, I feel like you.

Speaker 7 27:45

Gotta keep that. That's offensive. I feel like you gotta keep that in.

Speaker 3 27:50

To our listeners remember that your voices matter in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world. Until next time, stay informed and stay active.