Your Voice Matters
Often times voting can be seen as a self-serving experience - one that looks out for the best interests of you, your family or your business. But, this election has really called US citizens to think for the good of all. Humanity is on the ballot and this election season has been very revealing surrounding that. Approximately 4 in 10 of eligible voters didn't turn out to vote in 2016. Yet, as of this post, we are far beating out that record in a positive way with over 93 million Americans who have already voted. Millenials and Gen Zers comprise of 37% of eligible voters so the stakes are high and a lot of the future lies in their hands. We caught up with Minah Whyte, a young Black American of Nigerian descent to learn more about her voting story. Read our interview with her below!
I was born and raised in East Elmhurst in Queens, New York. It was a historically middle-class African-American neighborhood, where greats like Harry Belafonte, Malcolm X and Ella Fitzgerald lived during de facto segregation in the 1950s and 1960s. My mother’s family is from Kentucky and my father is from Nigeria. My father came to this country to attend college. My upbringing taught me to be very proud of my heritage on both sides, with the rich history of the African-American legacy in this country as well as being ethnically Kalabari (one of the smaller ethnic groups in Nigeria) on my father’s side. Also, it was great growing up in a place like Queens because you met so many people of different backgrounds. I spent a lot of my adolescent years in Jackson Heights, Queens. In Jackson Heights, I attended elementary and high school with a predominant Latinx student body. Jackson Heights is known for having a “Little India,” with a large south Asian community and “Little Colombia,” with cultures throughout the Latinx diaspora, with a strong Colombian presence. One of the benefits of coming from a place like Queens, New York is that it is one of the most diverse counties in the country, where there is an opportunity to learn from other cultures that are different from your own.
When was the first time that you voted and what was your experience?
The first time I registered to vote was at my alma mater, The City College of New York (CUNY) in Harlem. My first election as a registered voter was in the 2016 presidential election between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump. Before the 2016 presidential election, I had a local election in my community in Queens, New York. However, because of the stress of all of my papers and upcoming exams, I ultimately decided not to take the commute home. Yet, my experience in choosing whether or not to go home to vote is not unique and is a struggle for many students who go away for school, even between boroughs, like in New York City. Therefore, young people must know that they can vote using an absentee ballot and are aware of the dates to mail them into their local Board of Elections. Ultimately, my first time voting was great, it was quick and easy and I did not have to wait in line. Although this election is different with so many citizens becoming engaged and there are longer lines, this is proof that people need to see a change. In each election, and especially in this election, I am proud to use my vote as a tool in hopes to impact our democracy.
Why was voting in this election so important to you?The 2020 Presidential election is important because we have so much at stake in this election. Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have worked together to dismantle the basic fabric of our democracy. Too many American lives were lost due to COVID-19 under Trump’s leadership and Senate Republicans' lack of action. Not only were lives lost due to COVID-19, but the government has not provided appropriate assistance to the American people through what should have been a second stimulus during this unprecedented time. Throughout Trump’s presidency, he has used the government to undermine the policies that have positively impacted the lives of Americans, from the Affordable Care Act to rolling back climate change protections that would benefit the future generations. Furthermore, the use of the courts to attack the USPS, the decennial census, and mail-in ballots are attacks on the very foundation of our democratic system. This election is a turning point for this country on how we choose our presidential candidates, and if we truly believe in progressive politics that move our most vulnerable positively forward.
Where do you hope to see the country after this election?
I hope to see this country in a place of healing. Trump has proven he does not want to heal the people of the United States but helps fuel the worst in people. The level of violence we have seen increase against people of color harkens back to the 1960s and prior eras of overt racism. To heal, I hope that we not only have tough conversations but take actionable steps to address these inequities boldly, and with thorough research-backed solutions. The American Dream is attractive to so many outside of the United States. The American ideals of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” mean nothing if it cannot be equitably achieved by all who inhabit this country. These ideals are stymied by everyday inequalities from a lack of affordable housing to equitable healthcare and the accountability of our justice system. Also, many of the issues that we see play out in our immediate communities are a result of systemic and institutionalized racism. However, some ways that we can address these very issues is to vote for candidates that holistically address issues of housing insecurity, healthcare, education as well as public safety. Not only are our presidential elections important, but so are our state and city elected official races, in addition to our district attorney and judicial elections. I hope we gain leadership that reflects our nation and its highest ideals. I hope this election empowers voters of all backgrounds to not only vote, but continue to push agendas that improve our democracy for all.
Visit votesaveamerica.com to make sure your voting plan is in place! Election Day is November 3, 2020 so be sure to cast your vote in this important election.