Vote.
That one simple word could be this entire post, that is all I am asking from you. But for some reason, processing that one request is just too complex for some citizens. Voting becomes something in question, claiming "I don't like politics," or "I don't know who to vote for," or (my personal favorite) "I don't believe in our voting system." If you have said any of these statements--congrats! You have chosen privilege.
See, if you have the ability to vote and you are simply choosing not to--possibly accompanied by one of those excuses--you are indirectly saying you have nothing for which to vote. Notice I did not say "no one," but "nothing." Every candidate represents a different platform or agenda with all different beliefs and goals. By not voting for a candidate for even one of those goals, you are saying that there is nothing in your country you want to change. You are demonstrating your privilege, saying you have a perfect life and have nothing for which you need to fight. Other people do not have that privilege. Some people are counting down the days until their 18th birthday so they can attempt to change the system that has constantly silenced them. So if not for you, vote for them. Vote for those people that do not have their voice and need yours. Find one issue, that is all I am asking, that you care about and vote for it. Not every candidate is perfect. I hate the two-party system as much as the next guy. But voting for that candidate does not need to mean you worship them or you wear their merchandise like your own skin (I see you Bernie supporters), voting for them means they are advocating for at least a singular issue you support that another candidate does not.
Maybe your reasoning is that you do not believe your vote matters. That feeling is legitimate.
Our voting system with the electoral college can easily make you feel that way, I am not dismissing that. But do your research, understand that your vote does matter. So much. And if you still do not believe me, vote for the candidate that will work towards voting reform.
Or maybe your feeling is that you hate America, you do not think we have enough freedoms, and you would rather live in the most miserable place on Earth than celebrate another fourth of July. Then vote. Change the America that you hate. Even if you despise this country, you have one reason to like it: you have a voice to help change it. Do not run from the problem, try to fix it.
Lastly, do not say you are not educated. Scroll through your Instagram stories right now and I would bet you will find at least one political post explaining an issue or candidate. In our age of information, we have the world at our fingertips. If you ignore all the resources to which you have easy access, you are choosing ignorance. Remember that.
Voting is not hard, but it is important. Not everyone wants to study political science and hold the same offices that I am advocating for right now, but everyone does have a civic duty. You can not simply "not care about politics" when that politics is what affects your every day, decisions, abilities, breath in this country. I am not even telling you for whom you should vote, I am just asking that you do. And if you do not care about those things for yourself, care about them for someone else.
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