Stop your grumbling and start voting

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Yes, this is based in Hawaii, but the principle is the same everywhere else: "No Vote No Grumble"
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One Girl’s Guide to Taming the Beast of Political Ignorance and Intimidation

A grumbling hypocrite learned of the pride, elation and empowerment that can come with learning about — and becoming engaged with — our political process.

By Katie Caldwell, August 9, 2014

Hello, my name is Katie and I am guilty of not voting. I am also a huge hypocrite. I am a hypocrite because I grumble. I complain about all of the ways in which my community needs to change, then I avoid engaging in the democratic process by voting. I exaggeratedly roll my eyes and argue with ads for politicians and then promptly “forget” to register to vote.

Today, I tried to ponder why I have failed to vote. What is it that really stopped me?

My generation seems to feel disenchanted by politics. There is a definite “I’m-not-even-going-to-try-to-change-that” kind of vibe.

It doesn’t appear to be apathy or laziness as much as it seems to be intimidation. I may be outing myself publicly as a political ignoramus by stating this, but I find politics to be highly confusing and convoluted.

Only a few years ago, I could not tell you which district I resided in or who my representatives were. I doubt if I could have even accurately told you how a bill becomes a law.

On a side note that is far more embarrassing to type, I now feel like those people that Jon Stewart interviews who think Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden are the same person.

How is this possible you ask? You can read that question as: how did you possibly end up so stupid?

I wish I had a good answer. I am an intelligent, passionate individual. I have a master’s degree. I am well-read, well-spoken, and well-traveled. If I — a privileged, middle-class, educated individual — find the political process daunting, how many others who have not had the same advantages as me are left scratching their heads? The answer: many. Maybe even most.

How do we change this and turn the tide of political ignorance? We educate. We inspire. We take it one step at a time. For me, it took a policy class and a loveable, pushy professor — with whom I now work — to get me involved.

As a long-time feminist and advocate for social change, especially concerning the rights of women and children, I felt I had a lot to say and a lot to give; but I also felt scared and apprehensive.

I wasn’t anyone important, who would listen to little ol’ me? “Legislature” was a scary word, a place that seemed mysterious and full of intimidating people in suits and heels.

You are likely wondering, “Where did she get these ideas about the Hawaii legislature? This isn’t the New York Stock Exchange. Most people at the legislature are in aloha shirts and flats!”

In my limited political mind, however, all political actions were created in huge rooms with a plethora of mahogany, masses of overdressed men and women, and large quantities of scotch hidden in desk drawers.

For my policy class, we had to submit testimony for a bill and then present it in person in front of a legislative committee. On the day of my testimony, I was nervous.

Let me preface this little blurb of a story with the fact that I am not a good public speaker. I get what I call “fat-tongue” syndrome — it seriously feels like my tongue swells to three times its size — which makes me stutter and stumble over words as though I’m chewing nails…with, er, a fat tongue.

I break out in a flop sweat and my eyes dart around the room like some sort of deranged, trapped cat. But even as a sweaty, fat-tongued, cat-like girl, I managed to get up in front of the committee to deliver, at least what I felt was, a compelling testimony.

Afterward I felt proud, elated, empowered. Several people stopped to tell me they were moved by my testimony. Some offered business cards and engaged me in fruitful conversations about the issue, like I was someone that should be taken seriously.

It encouraged me to learn more, to get more involved, to ask stupid questions and make mistakes. It encouraged me to take myself seriously. I learned that you can easily submit testimony online with a few simple clicks, and that in our internet-attached world, lending your voice has never been easier.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to take a policy class or has the pressure of an impending grade to move them to get involved. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to work with No Vote No Grumble. NVNG is a campaign dedicated to awareness; to educating people about the political process, and to encourage others to partake in exercising their civic responsibility.

NVNG most especially wants to encourage locals and Native Hawaiians to have a strong voice in the policies and legislative actions of their islands.

I know there are many others just like me — apprehensive, disillusioned, and hesitant about engaging in politics — but who need to change.

We need to empower ourselves and others to make our community one we are prideful in.

We need to be proactive to make change for future generations to come.

One small step is to learn who your representatives are. Then, get registered so you know your voice will be heard. Find an issue to follow that you care about deeply. Ingrain yourself in the process, as it’s truly the best way to learn. If you want some help, come visit us here.

Let’s motivate each other to make positive changes for Hawaii. Your voice matters, your voice is important, and your voice is needed. No heels required, fat-tongue be damned.
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