VivirLatino

Mujeres : Tu Voto, Tu Voz?

12:05 H | Topics: Activism - Children - Family - Health - Justice - Politics - US Presidential Race 2008 - Women

As soon as I could, I voted. As soon as my younger sister and prima could, I dragged their asses to vote. My hijas have been with me inside the voting booth and I explain the process, and no just the mechanics of pulling the lever (we're still old school here in NYC), and no not just the political game/sideshow.

I don't lie about my own ambivalence after stolen elections and the fact that my own familia who lives in Puerto Rico can't vote ambivalent. Pero given the reality of the day, what is happening in our communities, can we afford not to vote, not to engage?

From Culture Kitchen :

69% of Latinas do not vote. Even though we have the highest pregnancy rates and the fastest growing incidences of AIDS in the United States. 70% African American and Asian American registered voting women also abstain from voting.

I have written this before and I will say it again, voting in and of itself will not change anything. If you think you have done your political work by voting then don't complain when the results don't turn out the way you hoped. Voting is only part of the equation, one weapon in our toolbox that in order to be effective MUST be used with other weapons like loud open mouths and working, fighting hands.

Related

• Constitutional Protections Not Applied to Ana Romero: Mujer, Madre, Trabajadora, Muerta (Wednesday, Sep 17 2008)
• National Rican Organization Challenges Presidential Candidates to Speak Address the Community (Wednesday, Sep 17 2008)