Ted Audio Collective.

You're listening to Ted Talks Daily.

You're listening to Ted Talks Daily.

I'm your host, Elise Hume.

What does it mean to participate in a democracy?

Activist Sophia Angiella says

we can have a voice in far more imaginative ways than simply going to vote, even though voting

is vital.

In her 2023 talk, Ted Democracy, she lays out how she uses her love of coding and social media to make a difference.

Her efforts to mobilize her generation after the break.

Four years ago yesterday, there was a shooting at my younger sister Jenny's high school,

Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California.

Jenny was lucky enough to see kids running when she was about to be dropped off by her carpool,

so she stayed safe.

But all of her friends were placed on lockdown.

Kids I've watched grow up and have known for as long as I can remember.

In the hours that followed, parents waited at my city Central Park to reunite with their kids

as students were released building by building,

escorted by police and swap teams to the park.

Three days later, there was a vigil at that same Central Park

to honor Gracie Meelberger and Dominic Blackwell, whose parents laid them to rest at the tender ages of 15 and 14.

It was the largest gathering in my city's history.

...