Pulse of the Bellwether
Hear from Millennials on Their Lessons from Bellwether Blues! Learn About our First Millennial Guest Contributor:
Sam Huddleston
Birthplace: New Boston, NH
Current Residence: Wood County, OH
Favorite TV Show: Parks and Recreation
Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
One Thing to Learn About Millennials: We really thrive on relationships!
When Was Your Conservative Awakening: Sophomore year of high school through my history teacher.
“I see no reason to vote again.” This and other complaints have come across my desk while working for the Wood County Republican Party. It’s not hard for me to blame these individuals. As political discourse has become more personal, more heated, and more divisive, there are significant amounts of individuals who feel left out of the political process altogether. This undoubtedly has consequences on voter turnout, and the greater voting population. This effects not only who we elect, but the quality of who is elected.
The last two chapters of Bellwether Blues gave me the method to moving forward: persuasion only happens when there is a relationship grounded in compassion and the currency of trust. While serving as a missionary with the Culture Project I was taught to listen to students with great intentionality. The most fruitful interactions I had with students resulted not from any proactive motivation, but rather proactive listening. This listening led to a deep understanding of their needs, hopes, and desires. For one’s values to reach the next generation we must have trust and understanding.
Here in Wood County we are focusing on exactly that. Whether through small groups, Constitution classes, or club meetings, we are creating an ecosystem where relationships can flourish. With the aim of empowerment, we are educating people on their potential of direct political involvement in their community. While most of us do not have control over the national or statewide political discourse, we have the potential to leave an impact in our local communities. Indeed, values of faith, family, and freedom will only flourish if leaders of any age invest in local relationships.
My concluding thought is this: frustration by the status quo is not enough. Living in bitterness breeds contempt and mitigates your impact. Channel your frustration, anger, and despair in a positive direction by investing in our future leaders. Any successes I have attained have been inspired by the investment of others. A firm commitment to proactive listening has the potential to create values-driven leaders who are invested in the betterment of our local institutions.
I want to finish with a story. When I was a freshman in college I became friends with my next door neighbor. He and I would share meals, play video games, and study together. As time went on he opened up about his dating relationship, and the struggles that came with long distance and transition. Through this trust, we became close friends, and one year later I was mentoring him in his faith journey towards Catholicism. This friendship would have never materialized without the currency of trust or active listening. I encourage you to do that today. You may end up changing a life.
Editor’s Note: Sam Huddleston is currently the Political Coordinator for the Wood County Republican Party, as well as the Coordinator for the Christian Business Partnership, a coalition of the Center for Christian Virtue. He has been a Catholic missionary, as well as a Field Organizer for some of the most successful statewide political campaigns in the state of Kentucky.
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