Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Braver
Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
On my 18th birthday during the pandemic is when I first started organizing. I was at Metropolitan Ministries walking Car to Car in the line to get food registering people to vote. I had to make a Spanish to English cheat-sheet for the non-Spanish speaking volunteers.
While at USF I became a well known campus organizer, registering voters, educating the public, and leading protests. I got the monicker “Guitar Guy” because I would always have my guitar with me while I was tabling. When Anti-Abortion “preachers” would come to campus I blocked them from harassing my peers by playing guitar in front of them, handing out contraceptives, and signing up volunteers for the local Women’s Health Clinic I escorted people at.
When Desantis ordered the public Universities to relinquish the private health records of their students, and banned what students could learn or do with HB999 I started a petition. In one day 2,000 people signed it, standing up for their rights. But Desantis would simply fire our President if she didn’t follow his orders so I organized 300 people across the State to hold a unified rally at every college campus in Florida. And on Feb 23 2023 over 5,000 Students and Educators walked out of class to Stand for our Freedoms, to say that diversity is the bedrock of education and no student should feel attacked by their government.
My team and I went on MSNBC, CNN, Teen Vogue, Insider, NPR, CBS and many more to shine a light on what was happening in Florida. After that I started working with organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, and more to help construct stronger college organizing forces. And I was appointed to be the Director of State & Local Policy for the Young Democrats of America.
I’m now a 5th Grade Science teacher running for State Senate because the problems that existed while I was a student here exist while I’m a teacher, and it’s because we have the same leaders.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There were struggles a long the way of course. I’ve had to deal with a severe lack of investment across my entire journey, but we were still able to organize strong movements regardless. I’ve also had to deal with lies and threats. Most recently Libs of TikTok doxxed me for saying that my students should feel safe, and I’ve had to deal with the torrent of hate that comes with that. But overall I know that as long as I stay honest and work to make Florida better with every action I take, no amount of lies or threats can stop us.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a State Senator, I specialize in the economic issues and talking about them in a way that is intuitive for most people. Progressive Policy is absolutely better, but those who believe in it have had a very hard time messaging it. Being 22 I have an easier time using social media to my advantage and using that to spread my message.
Being 22 also allows me to tap into the American People’s desire for fresh faces, and our young people’s desire for representation.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Empathy. Being smart, evocative, or powerful doesn’t matter unless you care about the people. When people meet me they know I care about them, that I am trying to understand their problems and will work to help them. If I couldn’t show that no one would want my help. I believe people won’t care how much you know, till they know how much you care.
Pricing:
- Donation: Free (only costs you your money)
- Yard Sign: $15
- Bumper Sticker: $10
- Pin: $5
- Shirt: $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BenBraver.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbraverfl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561020620452
- Twitter: https://x.com/BenBraverFL
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@BenBraverFL
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@benbraverfl
