Hopeful for the Future of America: Dylan Meader, Maryland

This snapshot was gathered in conjunction with the Maryland Voices initiative at Maryland Humanities, specifically to supplement the "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program. This collection, made up of stories of first-time voters between the ages of 18 and 24, showcases the experiences of young people as they wrestled with the 2020 presidential election, issues around social justice, the environment, immigration, and the pandemic. 

Dylan Meader (00:00): My name is Dylan Meader. I live in Frostburg, Maryland. I was born in Maryland, so I've been here my whole life, but I was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. Then we moved to Allegany County and I've pretty much been around this area the whole time and yeah. I go to the nearby high school, Mountain Ridge.

Dylan Meader (00:24): Yeah. I'd say I'm pretty hopeful.

Dylan Meader (00:27): Each side, they like to think, "Oh, if this side is in control, they're going to absolutely destroy our country," and that's just never the case. It hasn't happened. Our country is still standing and it's like... Yeah. It just... Yeah. I mean, I am hopeful. I'm hopeful for the future, really. Regardless of who's president or not, I'd say that ultimately, the U.S, we will persevere.

Dylan Meader (01:03): I believe that we'll be fine regardless of who's in power. I don't think one side is going to absolutely destroy our country or not.

Asset ID: 2021.03.09.c
Themes: Hope, elections, president, politics, power, America, democracy, political parties
Date recorded: January 29, 2021
Length of recording: 01:04 m
Related traveling exhibition: Voices and Votes: Democracy in America
Sponsor or affiliated organization: Allegany Museum, in partnership with Maryland Humanities
More information: https://www.mdhumanities.org/programs/museum-on-main-street/2021-2022-tour/