Alright buddies. Here it goes. My first guest post for Depth & Candor, and I’m here to talk about the most over talked about subject in US media. The election.
To get it out of the way, I’m voting Hillary, and I’m not ashamed of it. I will say that I voted for Bernie in the primary and I am so proud of that vote, I’ll let Killer Mike explain why. But a Bernie or Bust Bro, I am not. Shit’s gotten too real, and I’m not prepared to “stick to my guns” and risk people’s rights being eviscerated come January. But today, right here, right now, I’m here to talk to you about voting and why you, yes YOU, sitting in a non-swing state, disillusioned by politics, disgusted with Trump, upset that the Democratic Party can’t even get it together long enough to have a stronger email password, or just over it in general, why you should vote.
In writing this article, I thought about all the ways to try and convince you to vote. I thought about linking this adorable Obama video on registering to vote, or this amazing article about the Governor of Virginia who signed 200,000 individual clemency grants to ensure ex-convicts’ right to vote. But all of that seemed too much, like it had been said before, like it wouldn’t resonate with you, or like it was some how “too serious” even for an issue that is actually INCREDIBLY serious.
So instead, I’m going to give you some arguments that I think have teeth, grit, gravitas. I believe each one, standing alone, is good enough to be the reason why you vote on November 8th. And all together, well, let’s just say I think I won the case ;)
1st: I am a black woman.
Black people, we were legally 3/5ths of a person until 1868. And women, we were legally not considered equal to men until 1920. (Note to self: don’t Google “arguments against women’s suffrage” unless you want to make yourself incredibly angry). Without talking about the millions of restrictions like literacy tests, grandfather clauses, poll taxes, and voter ID laws, some still in place today, let’s just say that countless people died so we could vote, and just like I will never agree to sit in a “black section” of anything ever, I will exercise my right to vote. #thanksRosaParks #bigupsAlicePaul #goodlookinoutSojournerTruth #propsHiramRhodes
2nd: I know it’s hard to believe, but YOU can actually affect the election.
There is a real, albeit small chance that we might actually affect the outcome of the election. If there is a tie in the electoral college, then it is decided by the popular vote. That means regardless of where you live, your one vote could be the difference between Voldemort and Madame Clinton. Small chance, but why risk it?
3rd: Need a selfish reason? I got you.
Have you ever considered working in politics? How about in a politically minded organization? Although who you voted for might be private, the fact that you voted is not. Having a record of voting is something that could be very important in your future career, why close off that path this early?
4th: Care about issues? Senators and Representatives matter.
Voting for president is not the only thing that happens on November 8th. You will be voting for a number of other things when you vote on election day, including US Representatives and Senators. Regardless of a swing state or not, if you care about gun laws, women’s rights, LGBTQ issues, education, health care, etc these people are making decisions on these issues everyday and you get to decide who they are.
5th: Notorious R.B.G.
The next president will pick anywhere from 1 to 3+ Supreme Court Justices. All of those decisions like Brown v. Board of Ed. (desegregated schools), Roe v. Wade (legalized abortions), Obergefell v. Hodges (legalizing gay marriage). Those could have gone in drastically different directions if the Court had had different justices on it. Remember Becky with the bad grades? Well, let’s just say her absurdity could have been rubber stamped by the highest court in the land in another scenario.
And remember, democracy is a long game, a marathon. It can only exist and thrive with your participation. See you on November 8th!