About a month ago I was struck with a sudden obsession to
learn as much as I could about the Kennedys. Good ole’ southern man Brad
Paisley’s song “American Flag on the Moon” left me excited and filled with
wonder about a charming man from the East Coast.
"American Flag on the moon" -Brad Paisley
I binge-watched The Kennedys and listened
to Jack’s “We choose to go to the moon” and inauguration speeches. I listened
multiple times because I was comforted by his voice and was giddy to hear about
the past. That’s the problem with me; I love the past. I wish I were alive
during the Kennedy administration, but I’m not.
Who could resist his charm!
Instead I am living during another exciting and scary time
of American history. As a 20-year old
American woman, this upcoming November I will be able to vote for a president
for the first time in my life. I have waited so long for this moment. I have looked forward to it most of my
life. I imagined the moment, but never did I imagine that my first election
would be so scary and hard for me to make a decision.
The laws of life have punched me in the face with more
responsibilities each year that I age. This year my responsibility is to vote.
Vote responsibly and in thought of the future, not the past that I so love. Sometimes I wish that I was young
again and couldn’t vote because I finally understand how difficult it is to
vote. Up until now I have read Facebook as if it was the newspaper, I have
watched too many reality TV shows, and focused on pop culture. What the heck do
I know about our politics today? NOTHING!
I read articles every now and then. I sometimes watch political videos, but I
find myself changing the subject when people try to discuss politics with me. I
feel that I am not informed enough to talk about politics or vote. And sadly
this is my fault. I have failed to inform myself because I find myself busy
with school work and not I’m going to lie; I waste a lot of time on Netflix and
social media sites. But I have to discipline myself and not waste anymore time.
I have 6 months to get informed, social media and Netflix really aren’t that
important.
Being a good American citizen isn’t about how many patriotic
country songs I listen to, how much I love America’s national past time, or how
many slices of apple pie I eat. From now on being a good American citizen will
require some extra work from me. It is time for me to be responsible and inform
myself because the young child that I once was would want me to have an
educated vote this November.
My thoughts on
politics today:
"Revolution" -The Beatles
*This article is not as developed as I hoped, 19 articles in 19 days is proving to be harder than I imagined.
-Diana
No comments:
Post a Comment