Data from the U.S. Census Bureau contains a shocking statistic—Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers by 8.5 million. Yet while Millennials argue politics on social media, Boomers argue politics where it counts, in the voting booth.
Political apathy by college students allows terrible candidates to become terrible elected officials. This year we have plenty of both.
College voter turnout has continued to dwindle, particularly in non-presidential elections. SWC students are part of the problem. Just five percent of our student population voted in the last ASO election even though it was easy and accessible.
There has been, however, an increase in the amount of time students spend posting on social media accounts, hoping someone will see their rants for change. Fat chance. Facebook rants are not the solution. Tweeting at elected officials is not a solution. Voting is the solution.
College students have great latent power if we would ever rise up and use it. There are 20.2 million of us today in the United States. We could sway elections. Shoot, we could dominate elections.
Most students do not know this and do not care. Instead, we are sitting sit around twiddling on our iPhones while bizarre candidates such as Donald Trump parade around their regressive and repulsing ideas.
Ben Carson’s bigotry and Trump’s sexism do not represent what students and future generations want for our society, but we let them get away with demagoguery by sitting on the sidelines and not getting involved.
As students we must find a strong, well-grounded political stance based on history and evidence. College students must align themselves with relevant issues in order to be effective when voting. We must look out for our interests and those of the 99 percent. There is power in numbers, but only if we pull the levers.
Once this generation decides to exercise its right to vote, we will no longer be ignored. Decisions will no longer be made without considering us. Candidates will no longer be able to patronize us and then do something else for their wealthy backers.
Students cannot be satisfied simply to bust out complaints at the top of their lungs. It takes organized action to achieve change. Politicians know who votes and who they have to negotiate with. If we do not vote, we have no seat at the table. We will be continued to be ignored.
Instead of shying away from American politics, students need to engage. We should insist on clear answers and real plans. We should insist on honesty, service and vision.
College students need to continue challenging the status quo and pushing limits. Great movements started on college campuses such as the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War protests, LGBT rights and economic justice. We are incubators of progress and change.
We are the future. Do not wait until middle age to start voicing your opinion. Start now. Vote!