The upcoming November presidential election is going to be an extraordinary event for the American people and one of the most meaningful occasions in the history of the United States.
Our country’s health care and economy are in shambles, we are still waging a devastating war in Iraq, and millions of children are suffering at the hands of a failing educational system. However, on November 4, 2008, Americans will finally have a chance to step up and change the fate of this nation.
The importance of this year’s election has especially motivated young people to get involved, and young voter turnout in the presidential primaries has reached a record high. For instance, more than 30 million people under-30 voted for their candidate of choice on Super Tuesday, the day when over 20 states held their democratic presidential primaries. In fact, youth voter turnout in many of these states has nearly tripled or quadrupled since the 2000 primaries.
However, despite these record numbers, many young people still feel left out of the political process. In fact, I’ve met high school and even college students who feel like they can’t relate to the issues, or what’s worse, that their vote doesn’t really “count” in the first place. However, if we take a closer look at some of the controversies facing this country today, for example education, healthcare, racism and violence, then we can see the importance of young people getting involved in the political process.
The School System…
Take, for example, our educational system, which continues to crumble at the expense of teachers, students, and administrators. In many schools, students’ textbooks are old and falling apart. Due to recent California budget cuts, teacher shortages result in overcrowded classrooms. And health education, music, or other electives are often the first programs cut on every campus.
Students all over the country are responding to the fact that millions of children are missing out on a good education. For example, teenagers right here in Contra Costa and Marin Counties have organized classroom walk-outs, written letters to lawmakers, and held rallies on their school campus in order to protest the government’s recent funding cuts. But many people, both young and old, often forget that exercising their right to vote is another important way to fight back against laws or policies they disagree with.
The Healthcare System…
Our healthcare system also needs major repair. For instance, there are millions of children and teens who don’t have healthcare simply because their parents cannot afford it. Also, thousands of young people in the workforce lack coverage because their own employers don’t even offer healthcare plans in the first place. In fact, I have met uninsured Americans who, even when faced with an emergency situation, cannot find or afford immediate medical treatment for themselves or loved ones.
Thus, it is important for young people to support candidates who want to improve our schools, reward our teachers with higher pay, and make health care available to everyone who needs it. Education and healthcare, and thus access and opportunity to a better life, should be the birthright of every child in America. But right now it is a privilege that very few can afford.
Race, Culture and Diversity…
Another reason why the next generation should get involved in the political process is because race relations have been a hot-button topic during the current presidential election; and the United States is becoming more and more diverse, almost by the minute. For instance, 60% of California’s students are people of color, and this nation’s immigrant population is increasing every day.
It is important that young people embrace candidates, democratic or republican, who want to unite people of all races, cultures, ages, and religions instead of falling back on the same old divisive politics that have been going on for ages. The only way we are going to overcome racial tensions as a nation is to confront and tackle these issues head-on rather than ignore them and hope they’ll go away.
Violence in the Community…
Finally, one of the most important reasons young people should take an interest in politics is because the rate of sexual assaults among youth, especially targeting young women, is still extremely high. For instance 25% of girls and 16.6% of boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of18 or before they graduate from high school. In fact, the U.S. has the highest rates of reported sexual assaults of all industrialized nations! Thus young people should endorse progressive candidates who support women’s rights, work towards preventing all types of violence affecting youth, and model a healthy relationship and masculinity that demonstrates that violence does not equal strength.
It is for all these reasons (and many more!) that I encourage young people to get involved in the political process in the November general election.
What If I’m Not 18-Years-Old?
If you are not of voting age (18-years-old) don’t be discouraged! There are many ways you can support candidates and issues you care about without heading to the polling place. For instance, you could…
What If I’m 18 and I Want to Vote?
And as long as you are 18-years-old by Election Day (November 4th) and you are a U.S. Citizen, you can register to vote in 3 different ways. This is all you need to do…
Regardless of your age, or whether you identify as a republican, democrat or independent, please step up and help change the future of this country!