People always ask me why I am so fascinated by politics.
I can never give them a solid reason why, except that I believe politics is the most important, yet most misunderstood topic in this country. It affects everything we do in our daily lives, it impacts our environment and our social policies, and it influences the economy. How could I not be fascinated?
In the beginning, people fought for the right to have a say in political decisions. African Americans suffered and struggled for decades to find their voice in this country after centuries of slavery, brutality, prejudice and discrimination. When African American men were given the right to vote in 1864 through the addition of the 15th amendment, the struggle wasn't over.
Women of all ethnicities faced many prejudices, as well, and (let’s not forget!) we didn't receive the right to vote until 1920. In the early 60s to the early 70s, during the Vietnam War, people stormed the streets with posters declaring, "Make Love, Not War," demanding that the government stop fighting what many felt was unjust war and to bring the troops back home.
However, with time, this country appears to be facing a decline in political revolutions. Voices barely echo from the public, therefore, politicians make all the decisions without any feedback from the constituents.
People have misinterpreted political activism as just casting a ballot. Voting requires more than a check by the candidate’s name. It requires your heart and soul. You have to ask yourself who you're voting for, what the candidate stands for, what type of character does the candidate possess, if he or she would fight for your best interests, and if he or she is someone you would be proud to call your friend?
My generation struggles to get involved with politics because we see the corruption behind the curtain. Does the corruption bother us? Of course. We hate the injustices; however, we feel we have lost our voice in the chaos of the political world so we don't say anything. We think, “What’s the point? The system is rigged. Doesn’t matter who wins.” We passively sit back and let the politicians decide what our future in this country will be like.
It is time that we start informing ourselves on the issues that will greatly affect this generation. Believe it or not, your vote matters. It holds the key and decides our America. Politicians fight ferociously and attack each other with every ounce of energy they have in order to win votes. Yes, politicians sometimes seem stupid, but they are smart enough to know the importance of one vote.
The 2000 elections of Al Gore v. George Bush proved the importance of voting. The Supreme Court had to decide who would become our next president. It was almost like the public opinion did not exist. Did you know that Adolph Hitler won by one vote? Imagine how different one vote in Germany then would have affected the course of history for not only the United States, but the world. World War II might have never happened, and the millions men and women who died might have lived to experience a better life.
You may think that your vote could not possibly make a difference; But, it WILL make a difference. What difference do you want to make?
BALLOT
If it isn’t by free will
That I mark this ballot
With how I feel
That with the knowledge and
Little wisdom I have
I hope to make the right choice
But when it’s over
And I’ve thrown my
Ballot in the box
The choice is
No longer in my hands
I can only hope
Others think the
Same as myself
Is there true activism
In an individual
Do they vote for themselves
Or vote for their nation
Do we vote because we care
Or do we vote because we’re told to
And even when
We are told to vote
Many hardly listen
Because they see no
Instant gratification
They feel no desire
And because they
Feel no desire
Do they promote
Any activism
The answer is no
We are not a nation
Of empathy
The world is bigger
Than America
We are isolated
Money drives us
To the decisions we make
When we vote we ask
Who will give us the biggest tax break
If we even make it
To the voting booth
Who are we to say
We are not a nation of self-interest
When we vote
Do we even know
Who we are voting for
When genocide in
Bosnia and Darfur occurs
Do we think of who
Will help bring peace to those nations
We blink an eye
And pretend to feel sorrow
But just like the Holocaust
We will forget
About the suffering
And dwell on our misfortunes
When compared to famine
And ethnicity persecution
We are blessed
The world is bigger
Than America
We are not protected
From our own self-doubts and fears
But we are not too afraid
To stand up for what
Will benefit us
But too afraid to speak
Out in the hope to help others
Selflessness doesn’t describe us
Selflessness isn’t in our vocabulary
It isn’t a matter of who we are
It’s a matter of what we do
Activism
The world is bigger
Than America
Know where you stand
Who you stand with
What you stand for
Why you stand for it
Does your stance reflect
What you would hope
Others would stand for
If they had to stand for justice
Equality, peace, wisdom, and knowledge
Knowledge
What do we truly know
What activism is there
What makes us true believers
In the strength of our ballot
-Anya Alvarez
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twoday magazine wants to know: Will you be voting in the upcoming Presidential election? Share your reasons for why or why not you will be casting your ballot on Facebook.
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Like this article? Check out other great pieces exclusively for twoday magazine, by Anya Alvarez:
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