Jara M. F, 18
I feel Extremely uneasy about the upcoming election. It would be a very big turning point for the country, regardless of who wins. Seeing how 2020 has gone, this election provides me with more strain than hope for the future
Young people should vote because in the years coming they are the ones who will be directly dealing with the outcomes of certain policies or practices set in place by elected officials. When young people vote they are directly responsible for their future and set an example for the coming generations.
I am voting this year because 1) it is the first year I am able to do so, and 2) I wish to partake in such a monumental election. As someone who has grown up during these past four years I have witnessed how the unity of our country has increasingly deteriorated under this administration, and I feel the need to get my voice heard and help put a stop to these wrongdoings.
I believe there are many issues currently going on that deserve mass attention, and the ones that I wish to spotlight are racism/racial inequality/xenophobia , and climate change. As a Hispanic woman and more importantly a sensible person, I find racism to be appalling. It is extremely disheartening and dehumanizing to live your daily life knowing that there are people who wish the worst on you simply because of your background. Racism is deeply rooted into many of America’s industries, including but certainly not limited to healthcare, education, entertainment (representation), and especially the justice system. Nobody should feel like they have a target on their back simply because of what they look they look or sound like. As a young person, I feel like climate change is such a staggering issue that needs to be acted on more. I believe that my generation has had many discourses about the impacts of climate change, however the power to make monumental change lies in the hands of people much older and wealthier than us. That is perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of the issue, as many people before us have chosen to prioritize money over the world around them. Not to be too frank, but many of the people today who are in positions of power yet choose to ignore climate change will not be alive to see the complete and devastating consequences of their inaction.
Joyce H, 19
1. To be very honest I am terrified about the upcoming election. I am terrified about Trump calling the election fraudulent if Biden wins. I am terrified of the racial division in this country escalating if Trump wins. I am in distress with all the people that are eligible to vote but chooses not to as well as those people who are blind to equality. I as well as many other minorities cannot afford another four years with Trump whose views are filled with prejudice and racism that will NOT “make America great again”.
2. It is very important that young people vote. Although to some people, it may seem like it doesn’t matter, but it will be in the next four years. Our future is depending on this election and to have our voices heard, we need to vote. Young people make up a huge portion of the voting-eligible population but in the election in 2016, only 19% of the younger people cast their ballot while 49% of 45-60-year-olds voted in the presidential election. If you want to see a better, safer, and equal future, for our generation, you have to vote and encourage others as well.
3. I personally believe that Trump is very unsuitable due to all the controversies he has caused in the last 4 years he was in office. I will not tolerate Trump degrading POC and not taking responsibility to condemn those white supremacists and racists. Although I have many disagreements with both candidates, my vote goes to Biden as we can perhaps see a better future with Biden in office.
4. Issues that matter to me the most are climate change, abortion laws, immigration/border security (ice), racial and ethnic inequality, education, health care, covid-19, gun control, the economy, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Josiah S, 18
1. I feel that the election will play a very detrimental role in what the state of America will be like in the following years.
2. I believe young people should definitely vote because we are what determines what type of country our kids will be growing up in being that we are the ones that are directly affected, every other generation after following ours will be too. Also other countries also decide how they will corporate with America depending on who leads it.
3. I am voting this year because we need change for all minorities and people that are being discriminated against in America.
4. What issues matter most to me is getting justice for the unreasonable amount of black people that are being killed for no reason. It shows that a part of humanity hasn’t developed from the old ways of its bloody history in terms of the treatment of minority ethnic groups.
