Is Democracy Dead?
Today is Election Day in several states. Down ballot races will be decided around the country, from New Mexico to New York City. Voters in Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi will choose new governors. Maybe you’re wondering – who cares? Look at what voting has gotten us.
I hear you. I feel you. I have long been a promoter of civic engagement - voting, running for office, giving to candidates. I preached this trifecta of activities. And now, like you, I feel disillusioned about electoral politics. But here’s the thing – we’ve always known that our work doesn’t stop at the polling booth or on Election Day. We’ve always known that our work goes beyond electoral politics to movement building and door to door organizing. We’ve always known that if we’re silent, we’ll be ignored.
It’s understand able to feel disillusioned, when our tax dollars are being used for war and when our leaders are complicit in a genocide. But staying home is not going to stop that. So yes, our one single vote matters today. And our voice matters every day.
With hope,
Sayu
P.S. Look out for an episode of Our Body Politic I am guest hosting on multiracial democracy, available this Friday wherever you listen to podcasts