On Thursday, millions of Americans watched the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. To be transparent, I didn’t watch it. I thought it was better to go see the play “Home” at Haimes Theater. Personally, I made the right decision.
On the C-train going back uptown, I didn’t hear many people discussing the debate unless it was to make fun of two old white men through memes or quirky punch lines. Instead, my timelines were filled with people arguing about whether Bronny James’ 55th pick in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft was based on his skillset or nepotism. From what I noticed, this was the real debate of the night. Social media sports activists gave their remarks, statistics, and facts on why they believed this was a good selection or not. And though many are voters, the majority were not. The NBA selection of LeBron James Jr. had more of an impact on their lives than issues of reproductive justice, the criminal backgrounds of presidential candidates, or Black or LGBTQ rights.
While at the blood plasma bank, because I needed the extra funds, I heard a few people discuss these issues. One person said loudly, in their Bronx accent, “yeah, so I don’t vote.” Blood plasma banks are usually filled with low-income to working-class folks making donations for $50 to $60 a visit, twice a week, trying to make it to the next week. It’s usually at these times that I hear one of my college-educated friends make a snide remark like, “elections have consequences,” or “not voting is voting for the opponent.”
According to Census Bureau data, there are roughly 7 million people of voting age in New York City. Of those, 5 million are registered to vote. Of those 5 million, 62% cast their ballots during presidential elections. It’s lower during midterm elections and even lower during local elections. I would know, because I’ve worked the last two election polls. Even among election workers, many don’t vote. A 60-year-old gentleman I became friends with from working at the inspector’s table told me he only voted once, for former President Barack Obama, and was highly disappointed he even cast his vote.
By the way, not only do I vote, I’m considered a super voter in the political world. I vote in every single election I am eligible for. My commitment to voting stems from my parents taking me to the voting booth as a child. Then, as a community organizer (based on worker’s rights issues I experienced that impelled me to push for change), I saw how local policy affects the lives of so many people. Not only do I vote, but I also help candidates I believe in with their campaigns. Honestly, from working for mayors, state senators and lobbying for issues, I understand why so many are disillusioned by the process. Watching a person full of energy and life who wants to make a difference become compromised, either by seeking approval from certain constituents for donation funds or by becoming corrupted and part of the same machine they vowed to dismantle, I can’t get as angry as I would like because many times I wonder why I even still vote.
As a “center-left” voter, I push for equality for all, but I know that on many occasions, my side whines more about getting something done than actually getting their hands dirty to make a difference. Because at the end of the day, people want change, but they don’t want to actually work for that change to happen. Many times I feel like the political process is just two gangs ready to kill the other side on sight rather than realizing there are many topics where agreement is possible, but they don’t want to give the other side credit for the fear of appearing to sell out.
With people worried about bills, healthcare, child care and credit card debt, they often feel overwhelmed and belittled by convoluted policies. The relief they crave is a self-care day, watching their favorite team win a championship to escape life’s pressures.
I want people to vote. I also know people have a responsibility to figure out for themselves not only how to vote but also how to make sure it counts. This is infinitely more important than whether Bronny James has taken the spot of a more qualified player. Personally, I’m always happy when a Black man has a job and helps another get one too. LeBron has put many children through college, bought homes for families, created more economic impact, and pushed that to the next generation of his family. I love it. But honestly, I’m more concerned about turning my four jobs into one sustainable job than being upset about sports nepotism that started decades before Lebron James and by white men who wanted to keep a certain order for power.
Although I vote, I’m in line giving blood plasma to buy groceries, knowing the company is going to sell it for 10 times the price they have offered me. I have mixed feelings about seeing two mediocre elderly white men running for office, knowing that one harms my community in horrible ways while not feeling the other candidate will do anything for real impact. Yet I still vote, as I proved in the recent election.
Let’s find more ways to make this process just as relevant as an NBA draft and do it while making people feel humane rather than consistently pushing a “tough love” mentality that hasn’t gotten us anywhere as a country. Until then, let’s go Knicks!
Featured image: Photo by Ernie Journeys on Unsplash
Edited by: Steven London & James Sutton
