Presidential Election 2016 and The Vote

“This election is a joke” is a sentence I never expected to say as a constitutional rights exercising adult. It’s been said the most in the history of election seasons since the beginning of time. We all know why this is the common consensus in America today. That’s due to our democratic and republican presidential candidates being overwhelmingly displeasing. Hillary Clinton is running for the democratic seat with a heinous report card, filled with targeting blacks, money schemes, exploitive foundations and constant contradictions of herself throughout her political career. Meanwhile Donald Trump is representing the Republican Party, which has an immense amount of its own party members not supporting him. Trump is so grossly underqualified for presidency that he makes Hillary Clinton look like America’s savior; he’s making the choice look clear. This election should have every conspiracy junkie engaged, but it’s caused a lot of disconnect as well. Not too many folks are excited to take a vote.

After being served by President Barak Obama, America was expecting more progression-more forward thinking. This is why so many folks were excited during the primaries for a candidate like Bernie Sanders. Not only was he bold and unapologetic in regards to black liberation, even with him saying “black lives matter” his entire career is reflective of this. If America was genuinely interested in deconstructing the systems of oppression its founders built, Sanders would have been a shoe in. Unfortunately that is not the case and politics isn’t as people power as what we learn in middle school government courses.

This election has left many feeling like they do not have a candidate that is fighting for them. There is no way I as a queer, poor, body positive black woman see myself being advocated for in regards to Trump. He is the epitome of regression in the states; it is no wonder his following is largely sexist, racist and violent, as Trump is all of that. Then what about Hillary right? Don’t I see myself in her?

No.

Hillary Clinton encompasses white feminism, contradicts her political views and not to mention is a fraudulent murdering capitalist. She in no way, shape, or form represents me or plans to fight for me. She could not even say “black lives matter” even once throughout her campaigning. These two candidates have a horrible track record and aren’t reflective of a president I want. So then what am I to do?

Most would say since I’m a democrat vote for Hilary. They’d say she’s the lesser of two evils. They’d guilt me into making a reluctant vote as did so many Americans during early voting. And don’t even think about not voting and exercising your first amendment! It’s amusing that folks are pressured to vote but then they’re shamed about the way they vote.

I am voting for Jill Stein. She is looking to break status quo. I decided that I wasn’t going to give up my vote this election. However according to the masses I have in fact done just that. Actually I’m voting for Trump because I’m not voting for Hillary. This skewed way of thinking has folks bound to the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party is not the black party. It’s not the queer party. We need to realize that we don’t owe the Democratic Party our vote, but that these parties owe us their service. When I feel a candidate is unfit for presidency, I should not be provoked into voting for them. There are other parties aside from the Republican and Democrat one. We need to be intentional about shifting our culture. What would an America look like with the independent parties having a fighting chance?

That reality is soon approaching. A majority of millennials have already said they’re voting third party in this election. The ideology of voting for the lesser evil must cease. It’s time to back candidates we actually believe in.

There are also dramatizations of the presidential powers. Folks are in fear of Trump changing laws he can’t actually change on his own. We must also consider the Electoral College. Then there is the lack of concern for local elections, which pack more personal impact on our livelihood. The hoopla entailed in election season is interesting to say the least.

I remember when I was 17 and some of my classmates got to vote for Obama during his first run. I was so jealous and so excited to be able to vote for him his second term. I remember the change I was expecting in this nation. Generally, it hasn’t changed much. We’re not going to see that change from Hillary if even Obama didn’t bring it. And in regards to being fearful of trump upping deportations, Obama’s administration has upped it against Haitian refugees in Florida already. We must wake up and realize these parties are more alike than we admit.

As people vote or don’t, just remember it’s their choice. As long as they do it out of good morale, sound judgment and clear mind, they made a statement about our government and rightly so.