2008 Woodie Awards
STAFF STANCE
Staff encourages young voters to take a stand
Issue date: 10/28/04 Section: Opinion
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In an attempt to formulate the Staff Stance for this issue, Silhouette staff members had an opportunity to share their views about the presidential candidates. Of seven staff members, only three submitted responses.
The lack of participation raised the question of whether students are apathetic or simply private about whom they support.
Some students on campus seem passionate about the issues of this election and who they support, but they represent the minority, not the majority of GCCC students.
In the past, various groups avidly fought for the right to vote-women, African Americans, immigrants, peasants and more.
Yet, now that the fight has been won for nearly every American adult, we young adults regularly fail to constructively exercise this freedom.
America is a nation where an adult can vote in a presidential election regardless of sex, race or social status. Communism or a dictatorship does not rule this great country. We are not forced to follow a government we have no say in.
Instead, we are ruled by a democracy and given the right to have our voices heard. We, as Americans, have the right to shape our nation's future by actively choosing the leaders who will guide our country into the next era.
Though many of us may realize that we do have an extraordinary ability to make a difference-a chance not granted to all inhabitants of this Earth-we still do nothing. Perhaps we just aren't interested. Or maybe we are scared to form an opinion. After all, what if we make the wrong choice?
Whatever the case, it is obvious that our generation is filled with many apathetic citizens who do not care to take a stand.
However, our generation is also filled with those who are not apathetic but simply private.
Millions of young Americans fanatically and consistently exercise their voting rights by choosing the next American Idol or the Last Comic Standing, neither of which is likely to affect the well being of this country.
Perhaps young Americans take part in this voting and not the presidential election because these topics are safe. It's as though we are scared of the repercussions of speaking our minds regarding issues that really matter.
We cannot say exactly why our nation has seen a decline in voting among young adults, but we do say that it is time for young adults adults to take a stand. Inform yourselves. Empower yourselves. Vote 2004.
The lack of participation raised the question of whether students are apathetic or simply private about whom they support.
Some students on campus seem passionate about the issues of this election and who they support, but they represent the minority, not the majority of GCCC students.
In the past, various groups avidly fought for the right to vote-women, African Americans, immigrants, peasants and more.
Yet, now that the fight has been won for nearly every American adult, we young adults regularly fail to constructively exercise this freedom.
America is a nation where an adult can vote in a presidential election regardless of sex, race or social status. Communism or a dictatorship does not rule this great country. We are not forced to follow a government we have no say in.
Instead, we are ruled by a democracy and given the right to have our voices heard. We, as Americans, have the right to shape our nation's future by actively choosing the leaders who will guide our country into the next era.
Though many of us may realize that we do have an extraordinary ability to make a difference-a chance not granted to all inhabitants of this Earth-we still do nothing. Perhaps we just aren't interested. Or maybe we are scared to form an opinion. After all, what if we make the wrong choice?
Whatever the case, it is obvious that our generation is filled with many apathetic citizens who do not care to take a stand.
However, our generation is also filled with those who are not apathetic but simply private.
Millions of young Americans fanatically and consistently exercise their voting rights by choosing the next American Idol or the Last Comic Standing, neither of which is likely to affect the well being of this country.
Perhaps young Americans take part in this voting and not the presidential election because these topics are safe. It's as though we are scared of the repercussions of speaking our minds regarding issues that really matter.
We cannot say exactly why our nation has seen a decline in voting among young adults, but we do say that it is time for young adults adults to take a stand. Inform yourselves. Empower yourselves. Vote 2004.