Voting Isn't for Everyone

Like every eighteen year old, I longed for the legendary rite of passage known as voting. That "golden time" in your life when your opinion would make a difference and matter to people outside of your family. Content with the political changes of previous years in my lifetime I anxiously awaiting my turn at the polls, hopeful that vote would make a difference but that was to no avail. By the end of the 2000 presidential first term of our forty third president, I had had enough and decided to stop voting. That three syllable word (stop voting) was something that flabbergasted my African American family. As I was constantly reminded that others died for the very right to vote that which I decided to blatantly disregard in their eyes. Why you ask? The change of heart wasn't due to a physical or mental inability. As an anti- war humanitarian I personally felt let down my government; and felt as my vote didn't make a difference in the overall scheme of things. It wasn't just because my presidential candidate lost, but the promises of change I expected did not happen. I didn't understand how something so valued would be seen as so invaluable. All of the time I had spent learning about how it would make a difference, how it would mean something in the end. Only to be disappointed in an establishment that skewed everything I wanted to believe would change. Voting humph, it may be seen as important to some but not to me, not anymore. It has been exactly seven years since my last electoral vote has been required and I don't feel a need to acquiesce anytime soon. I personally feel that doing anything else in my life on electoral day is much more meaningful. I mean think about it. When you have taken the time to listen to something or someone you feel as though they know what they are doing and acquire a sense of security. However, when the promises are broken and the security becomes precarious do you continue voicing your opinion and giving support? I have not. The time and effort I have spent investing time observing candidates and buying into their "promises" makes me skeptical. I do respect those that do feel an obligation for voting and are optimistic for change but I am not one. Moreover, I do not plan to change my view anytime soon.