Yesterday, I woke up earlier than usual to do something I thought made a difference. Instead, as Americans we were criticized and we belittled something that only made a difference to those who understood the true value of casting a vote.
At the end of my work day, I stood in line and listened to children complain about “standing” and “waiting” in long lines. At the same time, I watched parents discipline their children saying “People died for this.” and without explaining it to their children anymore- A child says, “Are you serious? People died to do THIS?” (Your mom was too tired to explain to you that people DID NOT DIE for us to stand in long lines. Children take too many things literal.)
I know people that waited over two hours to vote. I know people that waited in the rain, outside, to vote. Some of us were late to work and some of us were too tired after work, shit some of us called out of work! Some of us skipped meals…but the principle of it all is that we tried, and we did it. or we thought we did. My question is for the people who were standing in line to vote and caught the live coverage.
America or Americans, as up to date as we want to be, WHY did we begin broadcasting which nominee won which electoral vote or state when we still had people voting? BUT I believe we were belittling and disrespecting not only somethings but someones. Not only that, we were allowing voters to sway their vote once they saw who was “winning.” Now I understand that we should already have our minds made up about who we are voting for. But we live in a world of indecisive people, especially those who are JUST beginning to exercise their right to vote. I can’t even use the word indecisive lightly because my friends and I take hours just to decide on where we want to eat and on the way there think of something better!
So, for those of you who think America didn’t hear you or that your vote “didn’t count.” I agree with you 100%. We live in a society where “it doesn’t matter how you win anymore.” One word, plain and simple: injustice.
*Parents, explain this one to your children one day because one day they will be voting, too.
osomoto 