Since I was a little girl, I can remember going with my family to vote. Before I could even understand a ballot, my parents instilled in me the importance of using my voice for the better.

As I have become older, I have continued this tradition, ensuring the time my ancestors took to give me the option was not wasted. But I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge how large our society’s population is of individuals who do not vote.

It can be for many reasons:

distrust in the system

lack of information

busy lives

barriers to the ballot

feeling like our votes don’t matter

But one thing I am going to ask every member of IHateAdulthood to do is show up on November 5, 2024, to cast their ballot, and I will do the SAME!

You may ask why this matters. Let’s keep it transparent: We are experiencing some challenging times in our society. While IHateAdulthood will never endorse a candidate, we are always going to bring the FACTS!

And, in our society right now, a lot is HAPPENING! From war to poverty, to rights for women of color, to inflation, and don’t get me started on these Student Loan Debts. We are experiencing a lot. For instance, the ongoing wars, the rising poverty rates, and the struggle for equal rights for women of color in [specific community] are just a few examples of the challenges we are facing.

Historically, Black women have shown up in the polls. We have brought our neighbors, friends, family members, and colleagues to the polls to vote election after election. Our collective action is a powerful force for change.

But we are now living in digital times, where some celebrities use their platforms for good and some to spread misinformation. Often, we recognize that individuals are choosing who they want for president based on their favorite rapper, singer, etc. It’s important to remember that while celebrities can bring attention to important issues, their endorsements should not be the sole basis for our political decisions.

Don’t get me wrong; this post is in no way shaming any celebrity who uses their platform to spread their views. But this post is to remind people that we must do more than listen to our favorite influencer and instead read up on the facts!

Our favorite celebrities may not be 100% correct, but I ask that you choose whom you want as your next elected official because you understand what they stand for, their track record, and how they behave in these streets.

In times where misinformation easily happens, we must be like Detectives Olivia Benson and Stabler and get to the facts.

We must do what Iyanla Vanzant suggests and do the work to find the answers.

We have to be like our ancestors, who fought so hard for us to have the privilege of being able to cast a ballot and show up on election day.

Or, even earlier, Sis. Please check what dates your state offers Early Voting. I will post a few states below.

Now that I am done preaching let’s discuss a few ways you can ensure you’re getting adequate and accurate information from the Internet.

#1: Read up on this candidate, as your life depends on them.

Don’t just trust your favorite influencer; go to PBS and find some sources to back up what they say.

If you don’t like PBS, use a news source that feels safe and tells you where its sources come from. Wikipedia can be a good place to start, but it should not be the place you stop.

Keep searching until you have enough information to make a well-versed decision.

#2: Pay attention to their track records.

As Black women, it is essential that we check candidates to ensure that they have consistently supported issues that benefit us and our communities.

It’s good to know if they have followed through on promises made in previous campaigns.

Let’s make it a little simpler: ensure they did what they said they did during those debates.

Don’t get caught up in the presidential click-bait; know if what they say is the real deal.

#3: Ask your friends and family what their thoughts are.

The people closest to us often have firsthand knowledge and perspectives that can help guide our decisions, helping us make choices that will have the best outcomes for ourselves and our communities.

One of my favorite things to do is call my grandmother weekly to get her opinions on the news. And that’s exactly why I went on a rant last Friday on our Instagram page because she didn’t answer.

Like Ma’am, I need the tea!

But, all jokes aside, it’s in those conversations that I gain so much wisdom that allows me to know the full facts of the case because, as I say, my grandmother knows her stuff.

There’s someone in your village who does, too! But always choose a person who has an opinion but can also see the other side. We need impartial people, baby! Embrace diverse perspectives to make informed decisions.

#4: Make a Pros & Cons list.

Sis, take all the information you gained and compare it! Do they align with your values? Can you trust them? Do they got the magic sauce?

Then get yourself cute, drive/walk/run/uber/bus down to the ballots, and cast your votes!

Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk! Remember, your vote is your voice. Let’s all commit to showing up on November 5, 2024, and making our voices heard.

I’ll see you next week, and we will discuss “I am Changing: What if Others Don’t Accept Me?”

Peace & Prosperity,

Jadis DeShong-Venay

References:

Vote.Org (24 October 2024). Early Voting Calendar. Vote.org. https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/