During the 2012, 2014, and 2016 national elections, I had reached the legal voting age, but could not participate in my country’s political process. I was not yet a citizen, having only my green card as proof of US residence. In May of this year, after having lived in this country for 15 years, I finally received my certificate of naturalization. Today, as my first act as an American citizen, I gave the entirety of my first month’s paycheck to the Kids in Need Fund, a Fairfax County Public Schools program that provides school supplies to the 53,000 district students who live below the poverty line. I feel happy to support the community in which I grew up in a small way. However, I also realize the immense privilege that allows me to donate this sum. As a young individual, I do not have very many financial obligations. I am also a recent college graduate that moved back with his parents post-graduation to commute to work from home. Therefore, after sending the money to the Kids in Need Fund, I began thinking of how I could expand the donation beyond the amount I gave. And the #MyFirstPaycheck campaign came to mind. #MyFirstPaycheck
Summer is a time of transition for many young Americans. High schoolers and college students are working temporary summer jobs and internships while recent college graduates are entering the workforce for the first time. Some do not carry very many financial burdens. A few are even in financially privileged positions as I am, perhaps even supported by their parents or guardians. The #MyFirstPaycheck campaign is simple. I challenge you, the privileged young American, to donate the entirety of your first paycheck (or the equivalent amount if the first paycheck has already been received) to any cause you support. The campaign is not restricted to any single idea (e.g. political party, religious belief, etc.). You may donate to any cause you personally believe in. You are also not obligated to reveal the cause, organization, amount donated, or even the fact that you donated. However, if you read this blog and wish to actively participate in the campaign, follow these four simple steps:
There is absolutely no shame in being unable to donate once tagged. Everyone has different financial obligations that they must prioritize. However, if you would like to still participate in the campaign, simply share the link to this blog using the hashtag #MyFirstPaycheck. Why #MyFirstPaycheck? Some may read this blog and feel inclined to ask why I am launching this campaign in the first place. The reason behind #MyFirstPaycheck is twofold. First, as an immigrant that recently obtained his citizenship, having a voice in the political process is an immense privilege for me. However, the political participation of young Americans is lower than other generations. I wish to tackle this phenomenon in a small way. And in my opinion, aside from voting, donating to a cause that one believes in is another significant form of political participation, as it conveys to others what issues people are finding important. Second, I want to challenge young Americans (including myself) to begin their first steps into the workforce with a unique mindset. Admiral William H. McRaven, in his 2014 commencement address to the University of Texas at Austin, challenged graduates to begin making their bed in the morning in order to lead a successful life. He emphasized that it is not the act of making the bed that makes one successful, but rather the mindset that the act puts one in. The following are his words. "If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed." Likewise this campaign, #MyFirstPaycheck, is about the mindset over amount donated: the mindset that my money that I earn has the potential to build up others besides myself.
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