Bakit Why Should I Vote?





  
  
  

        
    	Posted Fri, 09/12/2008 - 23:06 by russellie    
        	 
  


  

    
voted.jpgLast week I had the privilege to sit at the steps of Columbia University with about a thousand of my fellow students and watch a live feed of both Senator McCain and Senator Obama speak in a lecture hall of the campus. After the dignitaries and other important folk settled in, there was not much room left for students.  While we would have loved to be inside, even just being near the event was amazing. The political excitement in the air was palpable. We knew we were watching history. 


 


As I listened the interviewers ask each candidate about their views on the impact of 9/11 and the importance of service to the country, I thought about the questions I have as a young Pilipina American. 


 


Many of our lolo's who have yet to receive their benefits from WWII. So how will our country treat our cousins, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives...off in Iraq?



My parents worked hard and sacrificed to send me to undergrad. Will I be able to pay off my loans from grad school? Will I be able to pay for my future children's college education?

 


If over a million people have just lost their homes, will it ever be possible for me to stop paying these outrageous New York rent prices and own a home of my own someday?


 


Has this country kept the promises it made to my parents when they became citizens and promised to be land of equality and opportunity? 


 


So the question is now, bakitwhy should I vote? Why should we vote?


 


We should vote because we cannot be silent. We should vote because our voices need to stand for something. We should vote because we have questions that demand answers. 


 


It is with these questions in my mind that I will head to the voting booth in November. No matter which candidate you vote for or what questions you have, I hope to see you voting in November along side me. 
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Comments

      




  

  Paolo's picture

    

  

    by Paolo (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43  

  

    @Jer
I agree with you that we should vote as educated individuals, and that if more Pilipino-Americans do vote our voices will carry.  It is however, difficult to find a cause to support for a small minority.  I am registered, and do plan on voting but I've still yet to find a cause on ballots that I can feel strongly about as a Pilipino-American.      

    

      

  








  

  russellie b.'s picture

    
While it is true that as a

  

    by russellie b. (not verified) - 11/03/2008 - 00:59  

  

    While it is true that as a Pinay I am a minority and perhaps some of my concerns for the up coming elections can be seen as "concerns of a small minority" . . . I humbly beg to differ. 



I do not vote simply as a Pilipino-American 

I vote as a Student so . . . I care about which candidate has a stance on how to subsidize student loans 

I vote as a Renter and future Home Owner (and as someone who has family members who have lost their homes) . . . so I care about the stance each candidate has on the financial crisis

I vote as Woman . . . so I care about the candidates' stance on my reproductive choices. 

I vote as a former Patient sent to the ER without Health Insurance . . . so I care about each candidates' stance on health care 

I vote as someone who has loved ones in the Military . . . so I care about each candidates' stance on the war 

I vote as the Daughter of immigrants . . . so i care about their stances on immigration. 

All of these causes I feel strongly about. 



"Pilipino-American issues" and "American issues" are not mutually exclusive. They are woven together in a very complex way.  To view them as separate interests only serves to devalue our voices and our votes since we do not have the numbers of a majority according to the census. As part of a minority or a majority we should never think that our voices do not carry as much weight as others. This country has an unfortunate and sad history of making minority peoples voices feel weak and unimportant. The purpose of this piece was to combat the lingering effects of that tainted legacy.

So please please remember that every vote and every voice does count. 

      

    

      

  








  

  Jer's picture

    

  

    by Jer (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43  

  

    Well I can see where you're coming from Paolo. I personally try not to fall into the apathy that my voice doesn't really matter since its only one out of millions -- this also goes with the group mentality. If we as Pilipino Americans are generally apathetic about the whole political process, then how can we as a community change the lack of a "strong voice" that you mention? I think the voting process does represent the individual voice, but its part of a bigger thing. While we are Pilipino Americans who vote and represent our community interests, we are also part of a larger community trying to make a difference. I agree that we shouldn't vote because we fall into a "political excitement" but vote because we're educated about the issues and know that we want a change we can believe in. I strongly urge everyone to at least register to vote, then make an educated choice come November. Let's break out of being known as an "invisible minority" and empower ourselves to make a difference.      

    

      

  







  

  Paolo's picture

    

  

    by Paolo (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43  

  

    It’s all interesting and easy to fall into the political excitement, but I’ve fallen into the negative vibe of the whole political process.  Where a president elect was voted in under unfavorable circumstances and the person who received popular votes was ignored.  Also where the best person for the job is ignored for the media favorable.  
Aside from those, I think being Fil-Am our voice regrettably does not carry much weight in the political see-saw.  Even being one of the fastest growing groups of minorities in the US we as a culture and children of the Philippines still do not hold a strong voice.  I still urge everyone to vote, like Krystelle mentioned “If we don't represent ourselves, who will?”  It will just be a surprise if the Pilipino concerns are ever addressed.  I feel our stride in the political process must first start locally before we get swept up in the hype of the national elections.
      

    

      

  








  

  Soon to be bakitwhy member's picture

    
i totally agree--the

  

    by Soon to be bakitwhy member (not verified) - 11/02/2008 - 18:53  

  

    i totally agree--the filipino-american demographic doesn't have much political clout.  but that's because relatively few fil-ams participate in politics, elections, or are aware of major issues compared to our huge numbers.  our community has the potential to really make a difference but we gotta start at the basics...

and i think that's what bakitwhy is trying to do--increase awareness among young fil-ams, stir discussion, and turn all of that into real action.  keep it up bakitwhy.

           

    

      

  








  

  Krystelle's picture

    

  

    by Krystelle (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43  

  

    It really is an exciting time in American politics. Exercising our right to vote is positively necessary- as underrepresented minorities we need to have our voices heard. If we don't represent ourselves, who will? We have a great privilege being able to vote in America. It's about time for us to participate! Thanks for your article.      

    

      

  


      

    

  

  

  



              

            


                      


                                  
                      
                    

                        

              



     
  

    

    

    

      

        

        
        

                    

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