Your vote is important.
Yes, if you live in a staunchly red or blue state your vote will probably not affect the outcome. But you know what it will affect? Demographic statistics. You know who pays attention to those? Elected politicians at every level. You know what happens when your demographic makes a good showing? They cater to you. You showing up makes it easier for those who lobby for your interests full-time to get things done. Please show up and vote. This election is important. This is the election where we stop the globally-rising tide of neo-conservatism, of hate, of discrimination and exclusion, of radical reactionaries. This is where we counter the Boris Johnsons and Rodrigo Dutertes of the world and make a stand for equality, love, and inclusion on our own soil. This is where we look forward, to a future where our children and grandchildren have quality education and socioeconomic mobility. To a future where every American is healthy. To a future where minorities no longer live in fear. This election is revealing. When you vote for Trump, you are telling those around you what you think of them. You may tell yourself that you're voting for him because he's better than Clinton, he's not in Wall Street's pocket, he tells it like it is, he's a revolutionary coming in from outside the corrupt political system to fix it, he fights for the American Way, he'll bring jobs back to middle America, he's the working-class choice, he'll let you keep your guns, he has your best interests at heart. However, what other people hear is that you don't care about those around you, especially those who are different from you. You don't care about women, racial minorities, religious minorities, poor people, or the LGBT+/Queer Community. You are telling those people that they are second-class citizens, that their basic right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not important. You are telling them you do not hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. This view seems extreme, I know. You love these people. You have friends among these groups. You've cried with them, laughed with them, hugged them. That's why they find it so shocking and hurtful that you would elect someone to the highest office in the U.S. who does not believe they deserve the consideration and love you've shown them. That person you're voting for is not like you. Why would you identify with him? It baffles those who know you best, and makes them question what your true beliefs are. Although many elections are decided on the basis of specific policies, this election has devolved into an ideological debate, due to the polarized nature of the candidates and rhetoric. This time, your ideology is on trial. It's harsh, and maybe you like Trump's economic policy or something, but that's not what those around you hear. They hear that economics are more important to you than civil rights. When you don't vote, you are telling these people the same thing. You may say you're protesting because there's no winning with candidates like these, that they're "equally horrible", but that's not the point. If you wait for the perfect candidate to come along, whose views and policies exactly align with yours, you better get your ass into politics because that's the only way that's going to happen. Also, they're not equally horrible. You know better than that. Come on. I love each and every one of you, and I'm looking forward to moving towards an indivisible nation with liberty and justice for all.
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AuthorMaayan is a Manhattan-based opera singer. Archives
January 2019
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