Let’s travel back in time to 2020, the year the world shut down as coronavirus spread. I was sixteen years old, a sophomore in high school. Suddenly, my friends and I no longer communicated in the cafeteria during lunchtime or on the way to class. Our lives moved online.

I may not have a vote, but I do have a voice, and I intend to use it. Encouraging others to engage in the democratic process became my way of contributing, even if indirectly, to US democracy. For every person I convinced to register or to show up at the polls, I felt like I was speaking up for those of us left out. 

Every evening on my walk from Drexel’s library, I watch packed SEPTA buses pass by. Many are packed with healthcare workers from nearby hospitals and riders returning from medical appointments. Many are packed with students returning from college. Others are traveling to restaurants in Center City or a Flyers game. Over 750,000 rides are taken on public transit daily through SEPTA.

Each day, another 50 or so 17-year-olds in Philadelphia turn 18, and soon it’ll be time to hand them the keys.

Deja Kilgore sits across from me at Philadelphia City Hall, leaning in with a quiet confidence, poised for our conversation.

I spoke with The Philadelphia Citizen’s Executive Editor about her experience editing and writing for The Citizen.

Preventing residents from exercising their constitutional right is unacceptable

At the Vote That Jawn press conference, student leaders from across Philadelphia and city officials reminded voters that their voice matters

The upcoming election carries a lot of weight for Philly, the biggest city in one of the biggest swing states.

Eight University of Pennsylvania students who attended Trend that Jawn offered their reflections from the evening.

At their annual event, #VoteThatJawn encourages young people to register and vote!

We woke up to a new world. But no worries,  we’ve got this 

There were many times I wasn’t allowed to leave the house because of demonstrations happening downtown.

Isabel Engel provides ways to get your friends out and to the polls during election season!

By Tina Smith-Brown Philadelphia is a tough place for politics. Registering voters is far from easy here, but West Point cadet, Sheyla...

I have a personal problem with gun legislation that stems from the lack of controls. I feel like getting and concealing a gun is too easy.

Redistricting occurs after the census to ensure that each lawmaker’s number of constituents in their district is proportional to the populat

In January, a handful of young organizers perched in my office in the English Department at the University of Penn planning the 2020...