Hello dear citizens of the light. Speaking one’s mind politically can incite hatred and most certainly will illicit criticism. There is no room for misunderstanding or exploration. Thank goodness, at this time, one only has to listen, learn and choose a candidate that represents one’s hopes on most of the issues that threaten one’s way of life and love.
When I listen to my neighbor, Mary, who survived two years in the Japanese occupied jungles of Mindanao during World War II, I hear we are headed for big trouble, like we’ve seen before. Mary remembers. Her family business was on that Philippine island, and they survived on hope alone until an American submarine rescued them. If you are old enough, you have a personal story of such trauma, loss and grief that is also part of history, part of a collective betrayal of your rights and humanity, that an election like this sounds an alarm, cries a siren, pounds like fists on your door. Luckily, Mary can vote! (Thanks to her mother.)
When I listen to my son, eleven years old, I hear about all the candidates and their platforms and his own proclivities, because his social studies teacher made them research and debate their opinions. I wish my son could vote. I wish his friends could vote because today’s youth, for the most part, really care about people and the environment. They are not racists, in most of this country, they are not freaked out by gender fluidity or what gender you love, they know the environment is our sovereign and we are but slovenly and ungrateful subjects. They get it! (Thanks to their mothers)
I have had my turn at being creative with political appearances, and voting strictly with my conscience. Now I really am voting with my head, not my whole heart. I do wish I could do my part to unify the country, crisscross the aisles with love and peace and open-mindedness, but it’s not that time, and perhaps it never was in politics. My true ideas are in my songs. Being an artist is a privilege, and it’s also a privilege to be a citizen of this country and vote for our next President and Vice President.
We must elect the people who really can move our country forward in the way that matches our highest ideals and hold their feet to the fire as they do their job. Listen to the oldsters and the youngsters. Protest, but not with your vote!
If you want to be as smart as an eleven year old go to www.vote.org for all the information on voting you need in your state.
Thanks for listening,
Sophie B. Hawkins