Will Black Youth, the "Most Connected" Generation Ever, Vote in 2010?

For young voters, November 2, 2010, like every election, is about our future. Even the 2008 presidential election. Yes, Barack Obama was a compelling candidate, but people turned out in record numbers because they believed that he had a plan for their future. This election is about the same thing.

While parties and partisan groups want to focus on the past, and debate about ideologies and the complexities of America's contradictions, young people are trying to make sure that they can afford to go to school, have a decent job, and have a safe place to live.

I know that a lot of people think that young voters won't turn out in the midterms. But I think we are going to see a higher turnout amongst young people than people expect for a couple of reasons.

First, we are the most connected generation ever. From Facebook to Twitter, we can communicate at a much faster pace than ever before...we definitely didn't have this in 2006, and even in 2008, social networking and new media were sort of new. But we've been practicing for two years. I can't speak about other cities but in the last round of primaries I was excited by what I saw on Facebook.

Second, we are the most critical generation ever. A lot of people call this skepticism, but not me. I am proud that our generation can read through the lines, and interpret the double speak that is often associated with politics. We are not just critical, we are informed.

Finally, we have nothing to lose. I know that there has been a lot of talk of about how apathetic this generation is but for many young voters, this is do or die time....all statistics highlight that our generation is the first to do worse than our parents.

Lastly, black people, especially young black people, cannot and should not be dismissed. The Mobilization and Change Project newly released survey reveals this without a doubt. No political party can afford to ignore the black youth vote, nor simply expect to bring them in at the last moment.

 

Comments

[genjac3213]

04:31 PM on 10/30/2010

Speaking as a young (if you consider 27 young) black voter, I am voting this November 2nd. It is partly because of the accomplishments of the President, but more importantly it is to give a big HELL NO to the obstructionist agenda put forth by the Party of NO. It would have been one thing if the Republican Party has actually learned from the Election of 2008 and try to turn themselves into a modern party that ran on ideas. Instead we have seen the same identity politics and xenophobia that has defined the GOP campaign tactics since Nixon in order to appeal to a more unreasonable, yet passionate, homogeneous base.

We as a nation are facing real problems that will not be solved by implementing the exact same policies that got us here. The Republican have been promising reform for while. That is especially true for people like Minority Leader Boehner, who, introducing the GOP "Pledge to America" (Contract with America, anyone) apparently doesn't read his own past statements, or thinks that videotape doesn't exist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FudiK8llWRA

Quite simply, now is not the time, when black folk are in a better spot than they have every been (even though we have many issues in our community, especially when it comes to my demo, young black men) to be sitting on the side lines. Besides, a whole lot of people died for me to have the luxury to drive down the street and cast a ballot.

[Ivan Kutchiakokov]

09:23 PM on 10/29/2010

I checked. Obama ain't on the ballot this year. Few African-Americans will be heading to the polls on Tuesday.

[docheels]

07:20 PM on 10/29/2010

Of course black people should vote, and their votes get taken for granted election after election. Nobody can fix that but the voters. But using race is divisive. All citizens of legal age should vote, and should think for themselves as people, not as a race.

[Salukeitis]

06:21 PM on 10/29/2010

The black vote should open their eyes to the timidity of Obama, the deal making he did covertly, and why he is governing from the right. Progressives need the black voter to wake up. If the rethugs gain seats it is in part due to the Dem timid health care so called program.