As I get ready to cast my ballot for the first time, I’ve found myself reflecting on the significance of this election and having a female candidate running for president. To me, this is more than just a presidential election; it’s about learning how to participate and shape our community.
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I remember the 2016 election night block party when I was 10 years old at the seemingly-preordained cross section of President and Clinton St., and the nail-biting 2020 elections amidst COVID-19.
Now as a college freshman, it’s hard juggling the transition into a new school, the new atmosphere, and the stress of midterms, but I’m fortunate to attend a college that advocates for the importance of voting. I frequently walk by pop-up voting stands, voluntarily run by students giving up their time to answer any questions about this year’s election and how to vote. The lady working the front desk of my dorm hall told me that every day they receive a handful of mail-in ballots requested by students. Despite my busy schedule, I find myself carving out time to stay educated about this year’s election; I watched the presidential debate on a split screen while writing a humanities paper, and I’m glad that I did. Regardless of which side, I saw how much is communicated directly through the candidates’ words and expressions, and how the media also influences our elections.
This year, a handful of the social media campaigns have been targeted towards Gen Z. A great example is the activity of Kamala HQ, which posts over 10 times a day on TikTok, a majority of their posts inspired by Gen Z created trends. I think this is because both parties know that winning over Gen Z’s vote could make or break this presidential election. In my communications class, we learned that Gen Z is the age group with the lowest voter outcome — yet the impact that we as a generation have is significant. There are 40 million members of Gen Z that have the ability to vote, 8 million of them being eligible for the first time this year.
Still, I constantly hear my peers asking: “What’s the point of me voting?” What makes Gen Z think that voting is pointless and a waste of time?
A part of me understands why some of my peers don’t believe that this election is important to them, as they don’t feel like the outcome will affect them. What I’ve realized is that most people are only driven to vote because the result will impact them, their family, or their friends directly. But to that, I say: If you don’t start to participate in your community now, then when will you begin? Voting is one of the first rights that we experience as 18-year-olds, and the first time, under government law, that our voices are being considered.
If I’ve learned anything from my school’s advocacy towards the importance of voting, it is that the choices we make change the trajectory of our lives. In reality, everything works as a chain effect. This first chance to vote in the presidential election builds the habit of realizing that life is like a video game, and we are holding the controller. If you aren’t moving the controller, are you even playing the game?
The other week, I asked my professor what his advice for college freshmen would be and he told me to remember that “only dead fish go with the flow”. A gory metaphor, but an inspiring one. That fish might spend a long time following a clear stream of water, but what will happen to that fish when it gets stuck against a fallen tree trunk? The flow stops. I don’t think there is any better time to begin this mindset than as a college student, especially with an election coming so soon.
If I don’t create a life of my own, written by my own choices — starting with using my voice at this coming election — then the meaning of it would change dramatically. I know that my single vote in New York won’t be the sole determining factor, but there is a hopeful strength in the numbers of Gen Z all over the country. Voting is never pointless, but it doesn’t mean much if that’s the only step we take to contribute to our country. Perhaps the voting process is our initiation to the community — a nudge into the understanding that we have the power to make a difference.
Regardless of the major we choose to study in college, and the life we choose to pursue following that, one thing that will continue to be a part of all of our identities is a sense of community. So, Gen Z, go vote. Let’s use this as a jumping-off point to figure out how we can become deeply involved in our communities. Voting isn’t the be-all, end-all of participation; it is just the beginning. Let’s not be dead fish for the other 364 days of the year.
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