I think collectively, if we all—like if every single person that could vote did vote—not everybody is going to vote for the same thing, but it does unify our communities.
To a loved one that isn’t sure about voting or doesn’t know why it’s important, I would tell them that our ancestors, you know, far back in history, fought for this right. A lot of people still don’t have the right, including myself. I do not have the right to vote as a non-citizen, so I ask that if you do have that right, that you really, you know, put it to use
Go out and at least share your opinion about what you think the future of this country should look like.
I would say to think of their community first, to value their vote not just for themselves but for the collective whole. When you’re voting, you’re not voting to benefit just yourself or just the people in your immediate circle; you’re doing it for the entirety of your community.
When we learn more about voting, when we learn more about representatives, we give ourselves and our community a better chance of being heard. The thoughts and feelings of the people that we care the most for can be amplified in a room that we may not always be invited to or welcomed into.
It’s one of the simplest ways that we can exercise our democratic values, and it’s just beautiful. I hope that everybody can go do it. It’s a beautiful practice, it’s a beautiful tradition that we have.
