If you’re not voting today, please shut up
If you’re not voting today, please shut up
Why is the most inactive group so loud?
Writer’s note: This post was originally published on Medium’s “We Need to Talk” on November 8, 2022.
Writer’s note: Non-U.S. readers, please do not get in the comment section and leave complaints about how “Americans vote.” There would not be two political parties and we wouldn’t be at each other’s throat every election season if we all thought from one brain. Additionally, as a black woman, I take major issue with anybody complaining about how “Americans” are the reason that the Rev. Raphael Warnock is headed to a runoff and Stacy Abrams lost. Check your stats before you reply — 93% of Black women and 84% of Black men in Georgia voted for her. Google works. Stop generalizing “American voters” as if there are not 50 states. As a Chicagoan, I am 100% pleased with the turnout of our Illinois governor, senator and House reps — even if I don’t agree with all the judges. And for the millionth time, America didn’t invent racism nor is it only here. Stop sending messages to my personal website as if you have the authority on black people by telling me how you have black friends and dated black people. Your dating life has zip zero to do with the election results.
“Let’s act like we’re in a library right now,” he said. “Just shut up.”
I chuckled when my friend’s boyfriend said that to someone in our group. The person he was talking to stared at him blankly. From that reaction alone, I unapologetically told him I was going to steal his saying. It comes in handy on occasion — especially leading up to election season and on Election Day.
For those who haven’t participated in in-person early voting or mail-in voting already, today is the last day to cast your vote in the midterm elections. What’s up for grabs? In my state (Illinois), Tammy Duckworth is highly likely to keep her seat in the House of Representatives — along with a slew of other groups (i.e., U.S. Senator, State Senator, State Attorney General, Governor, etc.). I care about all of the above, but I’m especially watching my local elected officials because they have more control in my day-to-day than the federal end. (This is often overlooked, and people believe presidents are superheroes who sprinkle fairy dust on the rest.)
Still, I understand why there are six other states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) getting stared at harder than my dog does with squirrels. I was elated to see Trevor Noah spending one of his last weeks hosting “The Daily Show” in Georgia to interview candidates. These states could be the deciding factor on abortion rights, climate change, crime and gun rights, the economy and education. Republicans only need to gain five seats to win the House. (To control the U.S. House, a party must have 218 seats of 435 total.)