“Voting is not only our right—it is our power.” – Loung Ung
I cannot wait for Tuesday to get here. While I always look forward to voting, that is not why I’m excited. I’m excited because it will mean the end of the ads. I don’t care what side they’re for, I am so ready to not see them, even if it is only until the next election cycle. I’d imagine many of you are too. To be clear though, I did say vote first.
“My generation, we really have to step up to the plate and vote. Tweeting is great - people say, ‘Oh, I don't want this or that' but at the end of the day, tweeting isn't a ballot. Just saying that you don't like someone on Twitter is not going to turn a state blue or red. You have to vote.” – Zendaya
"You wouldn't let your grandparents pick your playlist. Why would you let them pick your representative who's going to determine your future?" – Barack Obama
Democracy itself is on the ballot. Both sides believe that for very different reasons and they are highly motivated to bring their respective visions for America to fruition. News flash, all elections are critical, especially when you are a student from a marginalized background in a world that does not seem to see the beauty in diversity or in you. This is especially challenging to wrap your head around when it is your first time voting. There is no frame of reference to draw from about the criticality of this election if you’ve never participated in any elections before this one. What matters to me is that YOU VOTE!
“I don’t care what responsibilities you have today, there’s no greater responsibility than being in control of your future and your future starts now! We don’t have time, no procrastinating, don’t let the discouragement take you off course, that’s not how my people or my generation will go down…this is the loudest way to make your voice heard!” Rihanna
"We are not helpless. The fire is still burning. Please go out and vote this November. Too many people have died and sacrificed so much for us to have our voice, we have to use it. Get in formation. Use our voices to do something great for our children." – Beyoncé
“I’m too busy…” no you’re not.
“I just don’t have time…” yes you do.
"There’s still COVID..." So? You go plenty of places. There's a safe way to vote, find it and do it.
“I don’t really care about all that, I have other things to worry about…” I get it BUT elections have consequences, and it will impact you eventually, it will.
“I don’t know who to vote for…” or “I don’t know how to do it...” or “I don’t know what the issues are…” Here you go...
Who and What are on my ballot – Ballotpedia
Know Your Rights - ACLU
What to do if Your Ballot is Challenged - Yahoo
App
Sites
Want equality, or security, or liberty, or opportunity, or community… VOTE!
Want to speak for people who come from where you come from with no voice here… VOTE!
Want to elect candidates whose values match yours and whose ideas move you... VOTE!
Angry about someone else telling you or anyone what to do with their body, VOTE!
Exhausted, fed up, stressed out, or burned up by what the “other” side is doing, VOTE!
Excited, disappointed, in your feelings, or fired up by what “your” side is doing, VOTE!
Don’t have a side, VOTE! Don’t want a side, VOTE!
Already voted, great, tell your people to go vote.
It is YOUR RIGHT, bought and paid for in blood, sweat, and tears, exercise it as you see fit.
Just VOTE.
"There are real reasons why people are disenfranchised. I think the easiest and most beneficial [thing] to a lot of people in power to believe is that, “Oh, people are lazy and they don't care, and they're complacent.” But there are all kinds of genuine obstacles that have been intentionally placed to keep people from participating in democracy and mattering in democracy. Sure, when you look at your life and you feel like nothing about our government or the way the system is working is positively impacting your life, of course you're going to feel disenchanted and cynical about those institutions. That's only natural and human." America Ferrera
"Here’s the problem: while some folks are frustrated and tuned out and staying home on election day, trust me other folks are showing up. Democracy continues with or without you." – Michelle Obama
"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." – Thomas Jefferson
What are we asking you to do?
VOTE!
“Most people think, great God will come from the sky
Take away everything, and make everybody feel high
But if you know what life is worth, you would look for yours on earth
And now you see the light, you stand up for your right
Get up, stand up, Stand up for your right
Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight”
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Get up Stand Up
Now go be great!
Any views or opinions expressed in this missive are solely the author’s and do not represent that of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County or any programs, departments, or partners affiliated with UMBC. While I make every effort to ensure that the information I am sharing is accurate, I welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.