As we approach this 2018 midterm election we have so much to consider. We have to acknowledge the alarming 230 million people that didn’t vote in the 2016 presidential election. We have to acknowledge that there were more people who did not vote in the 2016 election than those who did. We have to acknowledge the 66% drop in the black vote from the 2012 presidential election to the one in 2016.
Why is this the reality of what we’re living? Why is it that millennials have the power to turn these elections around but don’t feel that they can truly own their power? I’ll tell you why…
Young folks haven’t voted because they don’t see value in their individual voice adding to the collective democracy that currently exists. When they continuously see candidates and political leaders undermine issues that plague their communities they are left with one of two feelings: a fiery desire to stand up for the injustices and vote for leaders who will bring change or they get discouraged by what they see and remain silent because they think their vote will do nothing. As a young leader, we must realize that we are the leading age group who can bring about the necessary changes to the nation we live in.
Young people today have seen the Trump Administration strip Affirmative Action from race-based admissions policy. This along with the pending appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the highest judicial seat are the only motivation we need to participate in elections, recognizing that if we don’t show up, decisions will be made without us and it will be too late to fix them once the violence is done. Our collective power is being tested. The time to get in our political process is now.
We must vote! Our lives depend on it.
– Tiffany Dena Loftin, National Director for Youth & College, NAACP
