“I’m kind of the stereotypical young person in that I was looking forward to voting for Bernie Sanders, and I’m not really thrilled with the choice of Joe Biden,” says 19-year-old Miles Brewster, a recent high school graduate. He adds, “But it’s got to be done.”
This year Gen Z, or those born in 1997 or later, will make up 10% of the electorate, compared to just 4% in 2016, according to the Pew Research Center. This comes at a time when many young Americans are leading protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement and pushing race to the forefront of election issues.
TIME asked several Black youth, who will be voting in their first national election this fall, their views on the Black Lives Matter movement, the state of American politics, and this year’s presidential election.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Arpita Aneja at arpita.aneja@time.com