I drove to my polling center pondering if I should even cast my vote. Like usual, I was completely unaware of anyone or anything that was on the ballot. However, I felt obliged to vote. Historically, people of my ancestry decent have had to endure a tremendous amount of turmoil gaining the legal permissions to do the very thing that was ambiguous about doing...casting my vote.
Although, I was unaware of the policies or politicians on the ballot I stood there with pen in hand attempting to recall some of the commercials about the policies at play..."did the commercial say Prop C was helping the teachers or was that Prop D?" Unable to recall anything, I stand with my marker bubbling in names of politicians praying that God would whisper the answers to me..."Pick Sanchez she's is doing good things for the community or don't pick Smith because he's not trustworthy." Without the heavenly whispers of the Devine one in my ear, I grudgingly selected names of individuals that would represent me and thousands of other individuals over the next four years. Each one selected for no other reason than obligation. I stood at the booth selecting candidates such as governor and mayor similarly the way a child selects prime candidate to be "it." Eennie...meenie...miney...mo..." Yup, I will honest enough to say that I cast my vote based on my political affiliation. As I stood there all I could do was pray to God that the people that represented the political party that I affiliated with hand my best interest at heart when making decisions.
Also, like always I promised myself that the next round of elections would be different. I'd be prepared to answer questions about the political agenda of the oil companies in reference to Prop Z or who Timmy Jones was and why he would make a good superintendent for the water district. But for now, in that single moment...all I could think about was the thousands of brown men and women that lost their lives with a burning desire to...vote. Some would call me a hypocrite or foolish for casting an uninformed vote. In fact, truthfully to some degree I can say the same...but on another side. I can say that I sat there at the polls reading every word. Wondering how each person or proposition would impact my children, my life, my job, my community.
Finally, to come to a decision that my vote counts and that my decision to cast a vote will ultimately, theoretically, and ideally lead to accomplishing a greater good in the world. So, as I walked back to my car I praised myself for casting a vote that stood for something...even if it was out of pure obligation. In that moment, I stood and filled the gap of my ancestors that passed away in horrific and tragic deaths. It may not have been the way that they wanted, nevertheless,I honored a legacy that they died for. For some voting out of obligation is senseless and voided but for me. It counted towards the betterment of the people and that is what REALLY counts.
Always,
*Lady J*
