As I was riding the bus on campus just a few days ago, I decided to pull up Facebook out of boredom. Scrolling through the typical funny videos and inspirational memes, I came across a video entitled “Save the Day.” Curious, I began to watch the video only to discover it was a promotional compilation of celebrities encouraging everyone to get out and vote for the 2016 election. Great! I thought to myself. This really is an important topic and I’m so glad they’re getting the message out.
You see, I have talked to many of my own friends who refuse to vote this upcoming election essentially because of the candidates. Trust me, I understand. It’s almost as if trying to decide between Tweedledee and Tweedledum for one of the most important jobs in the world. However, by no means do I think that is a valid reason not to vote. In fact, it’s a stupid argument to me. Millennials have just recently beat out Baby Boomers as the largest generation…and you’re telling me you’re going to take the power you have and not use it at all, simply because you don’t like who’s running? Yes, this election will basically be deciding between the lesser of two evils, but that’s just it; you get to decide who is the lesser evil. There is someone that is less damaging, less harmful, and less capable than the other nominee in your eyes, and you have the power to put “less”, rather than “more”, into office.
No matter how much more outrageous this election may become (which I have a feeling it will), that is no excuse not to get up off your butt and vote November 8th. People who have died for our very own right to vote got off their butt to do their job; now it’s time for us to do the easy part. Democrat or Republican, there is no time for apathy. There are so many things this country needs to change and to continuously work on. Who do you want to make those changes?
As you can tell, I was truly interested in what the "Save the Day" video had to offer. The humor of the video and the many celebrities I recognized captivated me. I was proud of them for taking the time to do something that meaningful for our country.
But then there had to be a division.
There were so many right things "Save the Day" could’ve done here, and for the most part they did. However, I lost all interest smack dab in the middle of the video when the celebrities took a 360-turn from positively encouraging people to vote to straight-up bashing another candidate. Basically, the message went from "voting is important" to "voting is important because 'a racist, abusive coward who could permanently damage the fabric of our society” could become our next president.'"
Other celebrities followed up with quotes such as, “Do we want to give nuclear weapons to a man whose signature move is firing things?”
I was so close to sharing until you said that. You know, I completely respect whomever you’re voting for this election. Really, it shouldn’t even be any of my business. So as soon as you throw it in my face and try to create a divide where there is none, you have lost my attention. Especially when the message is saying there is a "right" choice candidate, when the only right choice is me voting in the first place. That's the beauty of voting: there is no right or wrong because it is completely up to me.
As a country, this is one video Joss Whedon (director of "Save the Day") could’ve made to bring the country together for a common, shared purpose: to get out and vote. We may be divided as Democrats and Republicans, but we are all Democrats and Republicans that need to understand voting is essential. It’s our duty as Americans that shouldn’t be abused. It’s necessary. It’s our right. It’s not solely important because of who you endorse, it’s also important because you’re making the effort, as an American, to exercise your right. Whether you believe it or not, your choice is one puzzle piece for the future of our country. Isn’t that crazy?
"Save the Day" had my full-on attention until that very moment. Not because of who I am voting for, but because they could’ve reached so much more of a larger audience if their clear motives hadn’t been made. Bottom line is: get out and vote. Whoever it is for, no matter who you are, people have suffered to get you that right you can exercise in just over a month.
Use it, please.
