1. Emphasize that voting is a civic responsibility.
With the
decreasing number of citizens turning out to the
polls each year, it is evident that voter participation in
America needs to improve.
How? By making Americans aware of their unique position.
In
the words of Mogens Jallberg, "In democracy it's your
vote that counts; in feudalism it's your count that votes".
While flippant, this quote does bring to light the
fact that Americans live in a democracy, and thus,
have the opportunity
to elect their leaders, thereby both avoiding royal
duds and military dictators.
2. Make people aware of the historic battles surrounding the
right to vote.
Historically, the right to vote represented one's equality in
society; those without the right to vote were inferior. Women
were told to stay home, African-Americans told to keep out of
it, and immigrants were disregarded.
In November of 2002, First Lady Laura Bush had a personal telephone
conversation with Ms. Effie Hobby, a Connecticut resident who
has voted in every election since women received the right to
vote. Ms. Hobby keeps the memory of Susan B. Anthony alive. She
is a woman whose dedication and fight led Congress to institute
women's suffrage in 1919. And when women today choose not to
vote, they are essentially taking the results of her ignited
passion -- and her life's work -- for granted.
African-Americans
obtained the right to vote in 1868 but it was not
until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s that equality
became more a reality than a buzzword. Leaders like
Rev. Martin
Luther King Jr. died so that African-American votes
could be cast on a level playing field. The National
Coalition on Black
Civic Participation has not allowed his legacy to diminish
- have you? In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. "This
is not time for apathy or complacency. This is a time
for vigorous positive action."
Cesar
Chavez, the renowned Hispanic leader who dedicated
his life to helping
Latino minorities, is known for his impassioned
freedom cry, "Si Se Puede," - "Yes we can!" and
for his belief that "every person is an impact". In
a speech Chavez gave on January 20, 1990 he commemorated the
efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King by saying, "If we fail
to learn that each and every person can make a difference, then
we will have betrayed Dr. King's life's work. The reverend Martin
Luther King, Jr. had more than just a dream, he had the love
and the faith to act". We, as American citizens
ought to grasp the same concept.
3. Governments need to reach out to the marketing geniuses of
the world.
I've been working at the highest levels of Hollywood for over
twenty years and have written the most widely used introduction
to public relations in the world. Even so, no one from the government
has ever phoned me in order to tap my know-how and thereby access
the power of public relations. Government officials ought to
desire to understand the influence of marketing might and utilize
the myriad resources that exist outside the White House walls.
4. Get people registered to vote.
Aren't
even registered to vote? Then you are behind the times! Young
adults 18 to 24 are becoming increasingly active
in voter registration drives on college campuses across
the nation. They've learned that without registering, one
cannot participate
-- and therefore, the status quo maintain its power
by default.
Take the time. It's as easy as going online to www.congress.org
where you can obtain all of the information from the comfort
of your own home.
5. Sell to your market
in its language.
When do
we do to celebrate the entry of young Americans into political
maturity? Jane Eisner,
a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, started
a crusade she calls "First Vote." The idea is simple: "Between
now and the next Election Day, I urge parents, teachers, coaches
and other caring adults to create their own First Vote ritual
for newly minted voters to publicly acknowledge this civic coming
of age".
She
continues, "High schools should laud students who vote.
Employers should offer them time off to participate. Neighbors
should shake their hands. Those blustery radio stations that
my kids listen to incessantly should read off the names of first-time
voters. Applause, attention -all that is due them".
In short, young people need to commit themselves to
the importance of voting
and we, as adults, need to foster that commitment.
Down
with Apathy
