Nearly four years ago a new norm was instilled into our society as we elected the nation’s first president of color. Fast-forward to today and the successful outcome in 2008 may be out of reach for President Barack Obama if young people continue their nonchalant ways.
In 2008, Obama received 66 percent of the votes of people between the ages of 18 to 29 compared to the 32 percent McCain received. Among black people, an unprecendented 96 percent of African-Americans voted for Obama.
Today, there seems to be a disconnect between the youth and the politics that surround them. Last fall during city elections, an unacceptable amount of young people did not go to the polls to vote. Although a seemingly well-rounded city council was attained, it was not through the efforts of the college aged.
Greensboro city leadership has arguably more impact on the lives of the students here at N.C. A&T than the national leadership does. They make the laws that dictate everyday life around the city, such as ordinances, violations, etc.
If this generation has the same apathetic views on politics as they did last November, we as a society are doomed.
“Four years ago an unprecedented number of African-American students and young men and women took part in choosing their future by working to elect Barack Obama as president of the United States,” said the director of the Obama for America National Youth Vote Valeisha Butterfield during a phone conference.
Butterfield along with the Obama campaign just launched the Obama for America ‘Greater Together’ National HBCU Student Summit last week at N.C. Central to revive the fire in young people, especially at HBCUs.
If Obama is to seek re-election come November, he needs the young people’s vote, especially from blacks. According to Gallup’s approval ratings, about 46 percent of the American society approves of him. This is not to say that Obama is doing an excellent job, nor does it suggest he does not need to improve. Instead it says our president needs us now more than ever.
As Super Tuesday approaches and a better gage on who his opponent will be, I challenge this generation to get back to the politics. Instead of worrying about what Chrissy, Jim, Tiny, or whoever is doing, see what you can do to help Obama and his fight to stay in the White House.
“Young people will play a pivotal roll in the re-election of President Obama,” said Butterfield.
Gabrielle Union is also a part of the HBCU Summit, as well as a member on the phone conference. She said, “You guys were the heart behind this campaign in 2008, and we want to do everything we can in 2012 to build on that.”
Together, we must reignite the fire that was among campus in 2008. In order to do that, we must volunteer, we must register, we must vote.
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- Kelcie McCrae, Editor in Chief