5 Questions for Sam Richard

Our class interviewed different people (Republican and Democrat) who have gotten politically involved. One person was Sam Richard, who works with ASU Downtown and demonstrated that people who aren't politicians can get politically involved.

1. How did you choose to get politically involved? What types of things led you toward that journey?

I first started to get involved with politics in high school. I always had liked current events, and began to realize that biggest movements of social change happened because of political action.

2. You mentioned that it's important to have a personal connection. What about issues that are not affecting you personally, but are going on in the world? (like genocide)

Genocide is definitely something that fits in that category. In addition, I would say issues of hunger and HIV/AIDS. However, and I think this is something that is true for many politically active people, the words of MLK Jr. ring true for me: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Even though I am not daily affected by the horrible killings in Darfur, the fact they it is happening should draw me into a empathetic state of being.

3. Do you feel that someone can make more of a difference at the local or national level?

I am a big believer in local politics. Yes, big changes happen at the national level. But our daily lives are affected by what our city councilmen, county board of supervisors, and state legislators do.

4. Has living downtown changed your political perspective?

I'm not sure it has changed drastically. If anything, it hasn't allowed me to shut off the outside world. Sure, I probably could live like a hermit anywhere, even living at the center of America's 5th largest city, but I feel that it's a whole lot easier in the suburbs. Not necessarily because "life is easier" or anything, but because (literally) I am stone's throw away from City Hall and the State Capitol.

5. Why do you think so many people choose not to be politically involved?

Honestly, I think it's probably a good thing that everybody isn't as involved as I am. America has operated fairly well under its "representative republic" model, and I don't think that it should change much. However, if by "involved," you mean educated then it's a different story. I feel that apathy is never a good behavior to exhibit, no matter what the context.