While listening to the pre-class chatter of a crowded college lecture hall or the gossip of students gathered around a lunch table, one will hear a variety of topics… “Did you hear about Sandra and Mark hooking up last weekend?”; “Dude, that girl is flaming! Do you think her boobs are real?”; “I can’t believe Brittney Spear’s sister is pregnant.” We’ve all heard these types of shallow conversations. Even at an academically-driven school like USC, students are preoccupied with skimming Perez Hilton on their laptops during class, discussing who should have won MTV’s reality show Tila Tequila, or blabbing on about what a train-wreck Brittany Spears is. It is fairly rare to hear students in public discussing which presidential candidate has the best fiscal policy or what the best strategy is to get us out of Iraq.
Based on the infrequency of hearing these types of substantial conversations, adults are quick to judge youth as unaware of national problems, or, if not unaware, too preoccupied to do anything about them. Our parents, who grew up during the 60’s and 70’s when young people were vigorously protesting the war in Vietnam, seem to think that we aren’t interested or active enough to instigate change. “Where is your fight?” they ask.
They don’t understand that, while our battle is not being fought with picket signs on the White House lawn, it still exists, and in full force. For you see, our generation is uniting online. The web has become a forum for youth to learn about, discuss, and support presidential candidates.
If you don’t believe me, go look at the popular social site Facebook. Go to the political groups and you’ll find people sharing data, videos, photographs, polls and participating in in-depth debates. Don’t get me wrong - I’m not talking about a few people talking via chat rooms, I’m talking about thousands of young people actively talking politics. Take Barack Obama fans for an example: his fan group Barack Obama (one million strong for Barack) has 430,956 members, his group Barack Obama for President in 2008 has 65,536 members, the group Students for Barack Obama has 15,353 members, and another, America for Barack Obama, has 7,321 members . That is well over a half a million people from across the nation talking, sharing and interacting online.
But many ask, how will all this web-talk really affect the votes? Will it get youth off their butts, away from the computer screen and to the polls? I say yes. The web has ignited youth political awareness and activity. Their fight for change may not be as overtly obvious as that of our parent’s generation, but I believe we’ll see it in the presidential polls.
We already are at the caucuses. In New Hampshire the youth turnout rate rose to 43 percent (compared to 18 percent in 2004). In Iowa, it more than tripled since 2004 totaling 13 percent, and in Nevada, it rose to 13 percent. Of the youth voters who showed up to those caucuses, democrats made up 61 percent in New Hampshire, 80 percent in Iowa and a whopping 92 percent in Nevada (youngvoterpac.org).
What I’m really saying to adults is, don’t underestimate us. Just because we’re gossiping about Lindsay Lohan at lunch instead of politics and partying instead of protesting, we know what’s going on. We are fighting, just on our own cyber- turf. We DO want to see change, and I believe we will.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Conversations about the presidential election are popping up in all kinds of unconventional places, especially on college campuses.
For everyone who thinks America’s youth is relatively uninformed, think again.
In between stories from last night’s crazy party, what girls showed up and fuzzy accounts of only partially-remembered actions, a shirtless fraternity member looks up from his steaming breakfast burrito and says, “I wonder who will win South Carolina today.”
I looked up in surprise to hear the comment, but then one of his hung-over counterparts responded and a discussion ensued.
Perhaps this is different from the typical venue considered a likely spot for academic discourse surrounding the impending presidential election.
It’s probably more likely to imagine men and women in cocktail dresses and tuxedos buzzing around a penthouse apartment with soft piano music in the background and an impeccable view behind them.
Not so here, no venue is safe, not even for young adults.
The 2009 election marks the first opportunity for involvement in the democratic process for more than half of America’s undergraduate population. More than half of USC’s population was under 18 at the time of the last election.
But whether it’s in a fraternity dining room or at the local hot spot bar, America’s youth is talking about the election in their spare time, not just when asked to do so by professors.
At each of the four social events I attended over the weekend, serious conversations broke out about the election, by people who actually had a reasonable knowledge base to bring to the table.
I overheard two third year college students arguing at the local watering hole amid hundreds of other stumbling young adults sipping their drinks and commiserating.
“I’m just so sick of all the people who talk about this election like they know what’s up,” said the guy to the girl. “That’s why I made a huge chart for everyone to hang up and actually learn about.”
I expected to turn around and see a weasely, skinny kid with a comb-over and pocket protector.
Instead, I found myself staring at a tall, average fraternity member from a reputable house.
I asked him to send me his graph. It’s rather impressive, given the amount of time it must have taken, not that I agree with it all. The column that says, “my views” are his, not mine. I will include it below.
The social discourse occurring is an essential part of the democratic process and our responsibility, given our duty to gain knowledge of the leader’s we’ll elect in less than a year. It’s comforting to see that even the newest members of the voting population are participating.
For everyone who thinks America’s youth is relatively uninformed, think again.
In between stories from last night’s crazy party, what girls showed up and fuzzy accounts of only partially-remembered actions, a shirtless fraternity member looks up from his steaming breakfast burrito and says, “I wonder who will win South Carolina today.”
I looked up in surprise to hear the comment, but then one of his hung-over counterparts responded and a discussion ensued.
Perhaps this is different from the typical venue considered a likely spot for academic discourse surrounding the impending presidential election.
It’s probably more likely to imagine men and women in cocktail dresses and tuxedos buzzing around a penthouse apartment with soft piano music in the background and an impeccable view behind them.
Not so here, no venue is safe, not even for young adults.
The 2009 election marks the first opportunity for involvement in the democratic process for more than half of America’s undergraduate population. More than half of USC’s population was under 18 at the time of the last election.
But whether it’s in a fraternity dining room or at the local hot spot bar, America’s youth is talking about the election in their spare time, not just when asked to do so by professors.
At each of the four social events I attended over the weekend, serious conversations broke out about the election, by people who actually had a reasonable knowledge base to bring to the table.
I overheard two third year college students arguing at the local watering hole amid hundreds of other stumbling young adults sipping their drinks and commiserating.
“I’m just so sick of all the people who talk about this election like they know what’s up,” said the guy to the girl. “That’s why I made a huge chart for everyone to hang up and actually learn about.”
I expected to turn around and see a weasely, skinny kid with a comb-over and pocket protector.
Instead, I found myself staring at a tall, average fraternity member from a reputable house.
I asked him to send me his graph. It’s rather impressive, given the amount of time it must have taken, not that I agree with it all. The column that says, “my views” are his, not mine. I will include it below.
The social discourse occurring is an essential part of the democratic process and our responsibility, given our duty to gain knowledge of the leader’s we’ll elect in less than a year. It’s comforting to see that even the newest members of the voting population are participating.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
So, what are we voting for?
Today is the last day to register to vote in California Hong Kong they’re still pushing for a democratic election for its chief executive by 2017. Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire
So you’ve registered to vote, now what? Call me ignorant but as an average American, I’m still a little hazy on the whole concept of primaries and caucuses. Who decides the order of the primaries? Why are caucuses so important? Who are the delegates? Do our votes matter in the primaries? Why do some states have an open primary and some states have a closed primary? Sure, most Americans studied American history or government in high school, but if I were to ask a random person on the streets to explain the whole idea of how primaries or caucuses work, they probably wouldn’t know why their vote is important in the primary next month.
Caucuses are when registered voters attend a meeting to select delegates who demonstrate support for their presidential candidate. There are different types of delegates for each party. The Democratic Party has pledged delegates and superdelegates. The former are elected to the position and he or she will show support for a particular presidential candidate, but are not bound to vote for the candidate. The latter are Democratic National Committee members and Democratic members of Congress, former presidents, vice presidents, governors, congressional leaders etc. who are not required to indicate a preference for a candidate and do not compete for privilege like pledged delegates. The Republicans have pledged and unpledged delegates. The latter are not required to show a preference for a candidate and are elected just like pledged delegates on a state and local level.
Primaries are elections when registered voters directly vote for their candidates through a secret ballot. For the Democratic Party, the popular vote percentage is directly proportional to the number of pledged delegates given to each candidate. But a candidate has to have at least 15% of a popular vote to get any pledged delegates. The Republicans do not require a 15% threshold like the Democrats do, but individual states have their own rules. Some states use a “winner takes all” system where the candidate with the most popular vote gets all the delegates, and some states use the same proportional system as the Democrats do.
TheConfusing? I thought so. Don’t get me started on the Electoral College. But this means that our vote as the general population does matter. Every vote counts.
I May be a Black Woman, But I Care About the Economy
As Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the two leading democratic candidates, fight for South Carolina’s votes in advance of Saturday’s primary, one issue has taken center stage—even as many voters try to distance themselves from it. Questions about whether the state’s black women—whom analysts estimate will make up more than one-third of democratic voters—will vote for their race or their gender have been increasing steadily over the past few weeks.
The intrigue surrounding the possibility of the first black or female president in history has been discussed in online forums, “talking head” cable shows and late-night show monologues for months. But now that the donkey party’s three-ring nomination circus has set up in this typically conservative (and historically racist) state, the race vs. gender “debate” has reached a fever pitch. But should this really be an issue?
A Jan. 21 article on CNN.com titled “Gender or Race: Black women voters face tough choices in S.C.” was one of the most popular articles written that day. In it, the author visits a popular hair salon (many of which are being targeted by candidates because they are popular places for women to gather and talk) to listen in on the day’s political debates; namely, what dem candidate will get the vote? While most of the conversation—both in the salon and the body of the article—centered on issues like the economy, healthcare, and whether experience will play a role for voters, the title of the piece would lead readers to believe the theme was more sociological than political.
Readers took serious offense to the website’s suggestion. CNN.com received dozens of angry and sarcastic emails from readers angered by the notion that they would think only about their race or gender when determining a candidate best suited to win the White House. One said: “Duh, since I'm illiterate I'll pull down the lever for someone. Hm... Well, he black so I may vote for him... oh wait she a woman I may vote for her... What Ise gon' do? Oh lordy!"
To the website’s credit, an editorial was published within hours featuring many of the email’s responses. There was no apology or explanation given beyond what the emails brought up.
Not that there should have been. The original piece—and the subsequent editorial—broached an interesting concept. Naturally, a candidate’s policy and their ability to stick to it are of more concern to a voter than their skin color or sex. But the distinction is historical and deserves to be discussed. Black women, especially those in the south, are faced with a unique pressure to vote their race. For the first time in our political history, the voting process has been affected by the perception that race trumps gender.
Sensationalist media outlets deserve to be checked by its readers. Otherwise, we’ll be getting our election coverage from The Globe and TMZ.com (Duff? Nah. We got pics of the other Hillary taking body shots in Acapulco!) But while the article could have gotten a less leading headline, the story never actually deemed race and gender a voting prerequisite. Sarcasm may be hard to resist, but we should only check that which deserves to be checked.
Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, and we can all discuss this with scrutiny and humor like adults. At least, the candidates are.
At Monday’s debate, Obama was asked about Toni Morrison’s comment that Bill Clinton was America’s first black president.
“I would have to investigate more of Bill's dancing ability…before I accurately judged whether he was, in fact, a brother,” said Obama.
To which Clinton responded, “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/21/blackwomen.voters/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail --gender or race article
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/21/emails.race.gender/index.html?iref=mpstoryview – editorial
The intrigue surrounding the possibility of the first black or female president in history has been discussed in online forums, “talking head” cable shows and late-night show monologues for months. But now that the donkey party’s three-ring nomination circus has set up in this typically conservative (and historically racist) state, the race vs. gender “debate” has reached a fever pitch. But should this really be an issue?
A Jan. 21 article on CNN.com titled “Gender or Race: Black women voters face tough choices in S.C.” was one of the most popular articles written that day. In it, the author visits a popular hair salon (many of which are being targeted by candidates because they are popular places for women to gather and talk) to listen in on the day’s political debates; namely, what dem candidate will get the vote? While most of the conversation—both in the salon and the body of the article—centered on issues like the economy, healthcare, and whether experience will play a role for voters, the title of the piece would lead readers to believe the theme was more sociological than political.
Readers took serious offense to the website’s suggestion. CNN.com received dozens of angry and sarcastic emails from readers angered by the notion that they would think only about their race or gender when determining a candidate best suited to win the White House. One said: “Duh, since I'm illiterate I'll pull down the lever for someone. Hm... Well, he black so I may vote for him... oh wait she a woman I may vote for her... What Ise gon' do? Oh lordy!"
To the website’s credit, an editorial was published within hours featuring many of the email’s responses. There was no apology or explanation given beyond what the emails brought up.
Not that there should have been. The original piece—and the subsequent editorial—broached an interesting concept. Naturally, a candidate’s policy and their ability to stick to it are of more concern to a voter than their skin color or sex. But the distinction is historical and deserves to be discussed. Black women, especially those in the south, are faced with a unique pressure to vote their race. For the first time in our political history, the voting process has been affected by the perception that race trumps gender.
Sensationalist media outlets deserve to be checked by its readers. Otherwise, we’ll be getting our election coverage from The Globe and TMZ.com (Duff? Nah. We got pics of the other Hillary taking body shots in Acapulco!) But while the article could have gotten a less leading headline, the story never actually deemed race and gender a voting prerequisite. Sarcasm may be hard to resist, but we should only check that which deserves to be checked.
Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, and we can all discuss this with scrutiny and humor like adults. At least, the candidates are.
At Monday’s debate, Obama was asked about Toni Morrison’s comment that Bill Clinton was America’s first black president.
“I would have to investigate more of Bill's dancing ability…before I accurately judged whether he was, in fact, a brother,” said Obama.
To which Clinton responded, “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/21/blackwomen.voters/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail --gender or race article
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/21/emails.race.gender/index.html?iref=mpstoryview – editorial
So What Does The New Hampshire Youth REALLY Think?
In past election years, the youth vote has been deemed difficult, if not impossible to receive, for the majority of young voters have not shown up at the polls. Much of America's youth had little if no interest in politics, and the indifference was felt in the numbers. But this election year is different. There is a revival of American youth's interest in politics, and candidates are trying to tap into the demographic for voting support.
With Super Tuesday fast approaching, it remains to be seen how influential the youth vote will be for many states' outcomes. However, there has already been a significant rise in the youth vote in this month's primaries in New Hampshire and caucuses in Iowa compared to four years ago. The youth vote was even credited for helping Barak Obama with for the Democrats in Iowa.
According to AFP, a global news agency, 13 percent of voters under 30 turned out for the caucus in Iowa, against four percent in 2004, while youth turnout in New Hampshire surged ahead from 18 percent four years ago to 43 percent.
As I am also from New Hampshire, I was able to survey a few members of the youth demographic from there to get an idea about their views on voting and politics. Their answers follow. Each person's answers will be in a different color to tell them apart.
How old are you?
21
20
22
Did you vote in the 2008 New Hampshire primaries?
Yes
Yes
No
If you answered “yes,” please answer the following questions:
Who did you vote for?
Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Why did you vote for him/her?
The things he did in NYC Sept. 11.
Because im a registered republican and it was a tough call on who to vote for.
Do you feel he/she appeals to the youth vote (18-24)?
No
Not really, no
If yes, why? If not, why not?
I feel he is not a publicized as the others.
I think the younger generation today is looking for a change aka a woman or an african american president, the younger generation today wants to make history and a difference.
Do you think it is important to exercise your right to vote?
Yes
Yes, it is such a privilidge as an American to be able to vote for a president, we are very lucky to have a say as to who runs our country.
Were you old enough to vote in 2004?
Yes
No
If yes, did you vote then?
Yes - George W. Bush
Do you feel like your vote counts?
Yes
Absolutly...if people didn't vote, we wouldn't be anywhere as a country.
If you answered “no” to the second question, please answer the following questions:
Why didn’t you vote?
I just never made it to register. I wanted to though.
Do you think it is important to exercise your right to vote?
Yes, if you don’t vote then I think you shouldn’t get to voice your displeasure about the government.
Were you old enough to vote in 2004?
Yes
If yes, did you vote then?
Yes
Do you feel like your vote counts?
Yes
Whether or not you voted, please answer the following questions:
What do you feel are the most important issues surrounding the 2008 election?
Health Care and Foreign Relations
The war in Iraq is number one I believe
The war in Iraq and the looming recession are pretty big issues.
What are you looking for in a presidential candidate?
Someone to figure a way to boost the economy and do positive things for people in all different social classes.
Positive change for America to make our country a better place where everyone is treated equally and given a fair chance.
I look for strength in hard times, good moral fiber and preferably a military background in a presidential candidate.
Is it important to you that whomever you support appeals to the youth voter?
No
No, although I believe our youth is most important considering they will be the next in line to make big decisions having to do with running this country.
No, not really. He/she should appeal to as many people as possible, not just the youth.
Do you feel like you are well informed about the issues surrounding the 2008 election?
Yes
I feel like I definitely could be, although its not a huge interest to me at this point and time.
Yes, I don’t think anyone could say that the media isn’t doing its job.
Do you feel like you are well informed about each candidate’s platform?
Yes
Yes
For the most part, with all the commercials and talk shows each candidate does. But it has really become a popularity contest and not so much about the real issues.
Do you believe most of your peers are engaged in the 2008 elections?
No
No
Most of my peers don't even know who is running. But my age group does I believe.
To get some data on past numbers from youth voters, click here and scroll over the states on the map.
With Super Tuesday fast approaching, it remains to be seen how influential the youth vote will be for many states' outcomes. However, there has already been a significant rise in the youth vote in this month's primaries in New Hampshire and caucuses in Iowa compared to four years ago. The youth vote was even credited for helping Barak Obama with for the Democrats in Iowa.
According to AFP, a global news agency, 13 percent of voters under 30 turned out for the caucus in Iowa, against four percent in 2004, while youth turnout in New Hampshire surged ahead from 18 percent four years ago to 43 percent.
As I am also from New Hampshire, I was able to survey a few members of the youth demographic from there to get an idea about their views on voting and politics. Their answers follow. Each person's answers will be in a different color to tell them apart.
How old are you?
21
20
22
Did you vote in the 2008 New Hampshire primaries?
Yes
Yes
No
If you answered “yes,” please answer the following questions:
Who did you vote for?
Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Why did you vote for him/her?
The things he did in NYC Sept. 11.
Because im a registered republican and it was a tough call on who to vote for.
Do you feel he/she appeals to the youth vote (18-24)?
No
Not really, no
If yes, why? If not, why not?
I feel he is not a publicized as the others.
I think the younger generation today is looking for a change aka a woman or an african american president, the younger generation today wants to make history and a difference.
Do you think it is important to exercise your right to vote?
Yes
Yes, it is such a privilidge as an American to be able to vote for a president, we are very lucky to have a say as to who runs our country.
Were you old enough to vote in 2004?
Yes
No
If yes, did you vote then?
Yes - George W. Bush
Do you feel like your vote counts?
Yes
Absolutly...if people didn't vote, we wouldn't be anywhere as a country.
If you answered “no” to the second question, please answer the following questions:
Why didn’t you vote?
I just never made it to register. I wanted to though.
Do you think it is important to exercise your right to vote?
Yes, if you don’t vote then I think you shouldn’t get to voice your displeasure about the government.
Were you old enough to vote in 2004?
Yes
If yes, did you vote then?
Yes
Do you feel like your vote counts?
Yes
Whether or not you voted, please answer the following questions:
What do you feel are the most important issues surrounding the 2008 election?
Health Care and Foreign Relations
The war in Iraq is number one I believe
The war in Iraq and the looming recession are pretty big issues.
What are you looking for in a presidential candidate?
Someone to figure a way to boost the economy and do positive things for people in all different social classes.
Positive change for America to make our country a better place where everyone is treated equally and given a fair chance.
I look for strength in hard times, good moral fiber and preferably a military background in a presidential candidate.
Is it important to you that whomever you support appeals to the youth voter?
No
No, although I believe our youth is most important considering they will be the next in line to make big decisions having to do with running this country.
No, not really. He/she should appeal to as many people as possible, not just the youth.
Do you feel like you are well informed about the issues surrounding the 2008 election?
Yes
I feel like I definitely could be, although its not a huge interest to me at this point and time.
Yes, I don’t think anyone could say that the media isn’t doing its job.
Do you feel like you are well informed about each candidate’s platform?
Yes
Yes
For the most part, with all the commercials and talk shows each candidate does. But it has really become a popularity contest and not so much about the real issues.
Do you believe most of your peers are engaged in the 2008 elections?
No
No
Most of my peers don't even know who is running. But my age group does I believe.
To get some data on past numbers from youth voters, click here and scroll over the states on the map.
Monday, January 21, 2008
It's not easy being gray
RomneyHuckabeeObamaClinton! Oh no, oh my! News coverage of elections become literal sports commentary: big, bold flashing graphics, easy numbers, little interpretation. Who’s ahead? What do the polls say? We want facts, not discussion. With everyone fluttering around numbers, it’s easy to get lost in the plot. But what about the electoral college system itself?
With over 2,000 political parties in the world, it's a shame the United States champions only two of them. Travel to Germany and you'll see five major parties listed on the ballot with more than 20 smaller ones. Travel to India and you'll find people voting for the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Nationalist Congress, the Bharatiya Janata.
A glaring difference between how the government works in the United States in comparison to nearly all those democracies abroad is its heavy reliance on an uncomplicated two-party political system. With one side naturally pitted against another like a team sport, much of American philosophy and thought has become polarized into diametric frames of thinking as a result.
This divided system has inadvertently perpetuated a left vs. right, Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative, "us vs. them" political mentality. Think about it - are you a proponent of national health care? You're labeled a liberal, a Democrat, a blue-stater. Against abortion? You're automatically considered a conservative, a Republican, red as a stop sign. The labels are easy, they're quick, they're convenient.
They're also incorrect.
It is not human nature to think in pure terms of black and white and it's not natural to polarize people's belief systems in completely opposing blocs that are so large its members cannot agree on the same issue.
Without a proportional voting method, however, minority parties will never be counted as whole votes unless they win an entire constituency. The system must be reformed if we ever want a country that is more than two simple, stale and staid political parties whose standpoints often bleed into one another, and more often than not, cannot be distinguished from one another.
Perhaps it has to do with the fact that it's much simpler to throw people into two opposing sides. It takes less thought and less brainpower. But the truth is humans are meant to think without concrete party labels obstructing their view. They shouldn't have to deal with flashing words and absolute ideas. At least they should have more options. They cannot think, "I really don't believe in this, but I think I'm supposed to since apparently I'm liberal/conservative/red/blue/bleeding heart."
Indeed, most people, myself included, find themselves frequently thinking outside party lines on certain issues, stuck in the gray area between the two extremes. This is why the centrist members of a particular party can so easily gain control. Because in a form of government that is neatly divided along the middle, the moderates always win since parties' leaders are too afraid of delving into either extreme. Yet, as a result, the raw political flame of change has blown out and the end product is compromise, concession, moderation, flip-flops, apathy and disregard.
An old senator once said, "Saying we should keep the two-party system simply because it is working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts."
I like that. And perhaps poor Dennis Kucinich does too. Read about his exclusion from the Las Vegas debates here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
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