The Power Of Your Voice

My partner and I got up early this morning so we could get to our polling station before it opened (at 6 AM).  It was very good thinking on our part considering how long the line was, even at 5:50 AM.  But seeing the line of people this early was a beaming sign.  It meant people were not going to be swayed in any way.  They were going to let their voices be heard.  The cold—even with the temperature below freezing—was no deterrent either.  That's because the cause was/is worth it.

The cause is worth it because my ancestors fought too long and too hard for all of us to be able to vote.  They knew the power of the voice and that we'd only falter if we remained silent.  They recognized the importance of the collective...and that if we all had the chance to vote that we could collectively change our world for the better.  My ancestors died so that we could we could be free and live in a world where equality and justice reign supreme.  Therefore I don't take any of it vain. 

I also don't take it lightly the (ongoing) issue of voter suppression and oppression throughout this country.  There's too much at stake for any of us to be cast aside or denied our right to exercise our political voice.  And after being in a long line of voters today and seeing the long lines of people voting early in days prior, I know that this right—this precious right—is something we all (should) hold dear.  As someone said exiting the polling station this morning, "You've got to show up in order to show out."  And I'm so pleased, so happy, so grateful that people across this country have/are doing just that.

Never think that you don't matter or that you don't count.  Because you do.  If you feel you aren't being represented well or at all, you have the right to voice your concerns and act accordingly.  If we fail to act or we don't exercise our rights, then we're giving in.  We're signing off and are just as accountable as the parties in office.  Or as many will say—if we don't vote, we don't have a voice.  Remember, you and your voice are worth more than they'll ever admit.  Why else do you think they up the ante on tactics to scare us away from the polls (especially during Presidential Elections)?

I don't care what scare tactics they use.  I wouldn't care if it was subzero or 100+ degrees outside this morning.  If I had to stand in line all day today to vote, I would do it.  I recognize the power of my voice and power of my vote.  And I'm glad to see that so many of my fellow Americans do too.

Related Posts:

Day 98: I'm Voting for Progress - Obama Biden 2012
Day 96: Michelle Obama at the DNC 2012
Desperation (from Prevail)
Politricking