Plato once said, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Having spent the past weeks trying to increase civic engagement and register students to vote, I’m beginning to think he’s right. I cannot help but wonder: Is there still civic engagement on Grounds?
Students of today are more connected through social media, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more engagement. I have the tendency to press “attend” on Facebook with no intention of attending, and I suspect the case to be similar when I attempt to register students to vote.
I see my peers consumed with their phones, Facebook pages, Twitters and Hulu television shows, yet they view my valiant efforts as wasting their time. I’ve witnessed varying levels of apathy and overheard sighs of, “Why does it matter? My vote won’t change anything.” I hope this attitude changes soon, or we will be the sole witnesses of our democratic system crashing and burning before I retire.
Before the registration deadline, I found myself largely involved in non-partisan organizations, pulling at other students’ teeth and nails to simply get them to register to vote — a five-minute process. We are receiving one of the best educations possible; we are wise enough to sort through mudslinging, bias and incorrect political advertising. Our voices should be significant, but they are not speaking. So I continually ask myself, “What else do I need to motivate others to vote?”
The necessity of voting is deeply entrenched in my heart. I remember entering voting booths at the age of 15 with my Dad and telling him, “Dad, choose this candidate. His views align with ours.” I became involved early through different programs available in my middle school, via Youth Leadership Initiative and other organizations which try to get students excited and interested in voting at a young age. I remember my classmates being equally engaged, so when did the interest in voting disappear?
Though I am unconcerned about politics majors voting, I worry other majors will not be as involved. Voting is a right that has been fought for with violence and vigor right in our own backyard. Current events show women in Saudi Arabia fighting for the right even now, so why doesn’t it mean more to people?
Surprisingly, most students seemed aware of the government shutdown. Frustrations, bitter words, anarchical wishes all jumbled together in angry rants became a regularity earlier this month as our tax money continued to pay congressmen who couldn’t do their job. If students can be affected by current events as much as they were by the government shutdown, then they should want their voices to be heard. We can voice our frustration with the government shutdown by voting whether we keep the same Congressmen — although a one year away — in their seats. Your vote can agree that the shutdown was a valid tactic, or it can say, “No, I did not ask you to agree to a government shutdown while still being paid.” Whatever you decide, your voice can be heard.
If you believe you are educated and intelligent, as most University students should, I expect you to vote, for your future and for mine. If you have the time to check “attending” on a social event on Facebook, I expect you to find the little extra time it takes to vote as well.
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