Your Vote Is Your Voice. Your Vote Matters.
The few days before any major election are often tense and filled with anxiety. If you’re eligible to vote, this is it. There is no do-over. So much is at stake in this election. I voted. I did so believing in our democracy and that casting my vote is a way to make my voice heard. Your vote is your voice. Your vote matters.
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our lives in ways many of us couldn’t imagine that it would. Every decision that has been made about Covid-19 over the last nine months has impacted every single person in America, one way or another. These decisions have caused families to take action and precautions to prevent illness from happening. They’ve changed how employers in all sectors now conduct their business, and they’ve determined how k-16 schools and institutions are opening up, or not.
A few weeks ago I was speaking with a woman who was sharing her experiences with me. She is 70 years old with health concerns. She expressed her dismay in people choosing not to wear a mask. “Wearing a mask shows that you care about others,” she said. I asked her what concerned her the most about this kind of behavior. She replied, “I wear a mask because this pandemic is real. My oncologist reminds me and all his patients that he wears a mask to protect us and it’s the right thing to do. He says he works very hard to destroy the cancer I have and he sure doesn’t want to let the coronavirus get to me. When I see someone not wearing a mask in public (a grocery store or at the post office), I think it means they simply don’t care about others. It is a sad situation.”
She then proceeded to share something completely unexpected. She told me that she had never voted but she was going to vote in this presidential election. She has been a naturalized citizen for nearly 40 years and like many immigrants is still intimidated by societal differences. She stated she kept herself well informed about government issues but felt no motivation nor support to vote in any election. The hair on my arms prickled as I became more intrigued about her story. We continued talking and I asked her why she wanted to vote now. She explained, “I never thought that my vote would matter. I am still unsure if it will make a difference but I think my vote can let others know that I finally get it. This pandemic revealed some hard truths. It seems many people have stopped caring for each other. I know I’m old but I don’t understand why. I care about our country and I hope that people will start caring about each other again. This vote is not about me. It’s about the future of my grandkids and their grandkids.”
Her words filled me with me hope. I thought about my own children and the reason why we named them Justice, Liberty, Freedom and America. I’m an immigrant who will never be able to run for an office like the presidency, but I want my kids to know that they can. I don’t take that for granted. I thought about what their future holds for them. I didn’t want to think about the barriers that they will face. I want so much to envision a nation in which they are accepted as equal citizens. That they will be successful contributors to society, giving back to their communities and perhaps become great leaders. And I thought about the sacrifices we’ve made to keep my mom safe and alive long past this pandemic.
I replied, “If there is anything I want my children to learn from these challenging times, it is that during times of crises we should treat each other with kindness and respect and that we can persevere through tough times by helping each other and working together. That’s what I want them to remember.”
Her warm, soft, benevolent voice swayed through the phone, “I love you, daughter.”
“I love you, mom,” I said.
No matter the outcome, your vote isn’t just about shaping government for today. It shapes the future of our country, every community, and all citizens for generations to come. So many have fought and sacrificed for our right to vote. Don’t ever give up your vote.
Your vote matters. Vote for love. Vote for education and healthcare. Vote for fairness. Vote for decency. Vote for justice. Vote for liberty. Vote for freedom. Vote for America. Vote.
