On a warm evening in August, a lively crowd waving bright blue "Gore/Lieberman" signs and chanting "More with Gore" took over UNM campus.
Almost 4,000 people and the national media awaited the main event. Seeing Vice President and Democratic Party presidential candidate Al Gore speak. It seemed that the crowd couldn't yell loud enough or wave their signs high enough to express support for Gore's presidential campaign. Just like the crowd, I couldn't contain my excitement as I clapped and hooted from my spot behind Al Gore on stage, decked out in a brand new "Gore for President" T-shirt.
Despite the energy at that rally, Gore, as we now know, did not win the presidency. After weeks of debate about whether all of the votes in Florida would be counted one of the not-so-obvious reasons Gore didn't win is because, sadly, many people who could have voted didn't.
And a majority of these people not voting are the ones I have class with everyday.
It's pretty much common knowledge these days that we young people don't care aboutpolitics and rarely even take the time to do our simplest duty as a free citizen - vote. As one of the few radically different young people who actively participate in politics, I am scared to see what will come of a generation who don't care enough to take part in the process that affects their daily lives.
Politics and elections are not a priority in our busy college lives, but what effect does this apathy have on the future of the country - the future of young people?
Sure, UNM students are busy with jobs and studies, but many of us still find time do other things we care about. According to a recent study, 53 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds do volunteer work on a regular basis. The study points out that young people look at volunteerism as the way to make a difference because it involves tangible results and a personal outcome. We can immediately feel good about tutoring a child or serving meals to the homeless.
The sad thing is that most young people don't see politics as relevant to their lives. I don't buy this cynical view. If students are interested in saving the environment or helping senior citizens, then we can definitely realize that taking part in our government and politics is another important civic duty. The only real treatment for the apathy that so many young people suffer from is political participation.
Here's why: A vicious cycle is preventing students from really having their voices heard. Young people realize that politicians don't pay attention to them and that corporate money has too much influence. Our perceived lack of influence leads us to just blow off voting all together. At the same time, politicians don't pay attention to young people and instead take other influences into consideration because we don't take the time to vote.
For example, in the 2000 election, 62 percent of registered voters cast ballots in New Mexico. In the four neighborhoods around UNM, which are highly populated with students, only 36 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot. By not voting, we contribute to our own lack of political influence just as much as the politicians. How can we expect to have our voices heard if we're not even talking?
The only way to break the cycle and to flex our political muscle is to become active. We have to make the effort and show politicians that young voters are seriously concerned about the future and issues such as the environment, education and abortion rights.
Politicians decide everyday whether to protect the environment or give more money to help kids learn to read. In order for our issues to be considered when public policy is made, we cannot wait for public officials to come to us, we must take the fight to them. Once we take a stand and make an effort to be better citizens, then politicians will have to pay attention because their jobs will depend on it.
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New Mexico alone has more than 100,000 higher education students, which is more than enough voter power to make any politician pay attention. The responsibility to affect change for the better does not lie with corporations or politicians. It depends on our willingness to be active voting citizens.
Voting is a freedom we shouldn't take for granted. Voting is what can break the apathetic cycle and separate you from the majority of uniformed and lazy young people eating lunch with you at the Frontier. Be a radical youth activist - vote.
