Salutations!
I
hope you all stayed up late with friends and family
to watch the election unfold on Election Night. In
the aftermath, there are so many questions left
unanswered. What is there to do now that the political
campaigns are over? How are we to interpret the
flurry of contradicting statistics that we are being
inundated with? Nationally, youth came out in droves,
so why aren't we hearing about it? Where should
we go for our news?
Well,
here we go! This issue of the Holler is dedicated
to looking backward to evaluate the events leading
up to and during the actual day of November 2.
1.
Just the facts, ma’am,
How close was the election?
2.
The Youth Vote, lazy or
disenfranchised?
3.
Recap on Election: STAND
election activities.
4.
Announcements!
1.
Just the Facts, Ma'am. How close was the
Election?
Well,
when looking at statistics of any kind, two important
things to consider are the source and the context.
Statistics can be easily spun, so be a little critical
when you are looking at numbers.
Here
are some clear stats from the election:
On
a scale of one to close, where did the election
fall? You decide.
2.
The Youth Vote: Lazy or Disenfranchised?
I'll
take Disenfranchised for $500, Alex.
If
people under 30 came out in unprecedented numbers,
why isn't our demographic giving the props we deserve?
First
of all, let's look at the reporting. Many media
sources are not taking into consideration the overall
increase of youth voters. When media sources do
not quote an increase in the youth vote, they are
probably talking about the overall percentage of
youth votes in the total vote. Overall, more people
voted in general, thus the percentage of youth vote
didn't change dramatically. But rest assured, the
youth did come out in record numbers, and the majority
of youth voted Democrat.
Second
of all, there were national problems with youth
voter disenfranchisement and with absentee voting.
Students were discouraged from registering in the
state where they attend college, which, I repeat,
was perfectly legal. Many students away at college
who sought to vote by absentee ballot experienced
more than mere frustration because of problems with
the ballot arriving late or not at all. Late ballots,
no ballots, and often unable to vote where they
go to school, left many students with few to no
options on Election Day.
"I
realize these are isolated instances which may be
the result of the pervasive ineptitude of various
institutions; but they speak to why the student
vote turnout wasn't higher this time. Many students
who vote by absentee ballot were simply disenfranchised."
--Harriette Grissom, professor
3.
Recap on STAND Election events: Let voting ring
from coast to coast.
STAND
helped coordinate events and people in California,
Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Overall, the
events and volunteering went wonderfully.
Voter
drives, speeches, and inspiration parties were held
all over the place. Special Shout outs to students
Tameika Scott (Georgia State University),
Sarah Meng (Agnes Scott University),
Catlin Orr (Mount Holyhoke), and
mentors: Karen Speros and Suzanne Bergeron
for coordinating events.
At
Georgia State, Tameika Scott coordinated Representative
Kathy Ashe of Georgia to give election inspiration
to students. Sarah Meng, President of The Feminist
Majority Leadership Alliance at Agnes Scott, put
on a voter inspiration party and had fabulous turnout
and success. At University of Michigan Dearborn
campus, Suzanne Bergeron (professor) organized a
successful voter registration drive and encouraged
all kinds of election participation. Karen Speros
in California rallied high school students, helped
with a voter drive and a peace party in the park. Catlin
Orr, a freshman at Mount Holyoke, volunteered with
the Democratic organizations on her campus for her
election activism.
Five
women inspiring hundreds to participate in the political
process. THIS IS WHAT
STAND IS ALL ABOUT! Take a bow ladies, you deserve
it.
4.
Announcements!
Training
Program Opportunity:
1.
The Direct Action & Research Training (DART)
Center is currently accepting resumes from
alums and spring graduating (STAND) students interested
in social and economic justice issues for their
paid, four-month community organizing training program
known as the DART Organizers Institute. There is
a focus on education reform in low-performing public
schools, job training, drugs and violence, affordable
housing, criminal recidivism, youth services, neighborhood
revitalization, etc.
The
DART Organizers Institute starts June 20, 2005 and
combines a 7-day classroom with 15-week field training.
To
apply, (STAND) applicants should send an updated
resume to: Ben MacConnell, the Recruitment Director
at: institute@thedartcenter.org.
You
can also call him with questions: (785) 841-2680.
To
find out more about the DART center, check out the
web site: www.thedartcenter.org
2.
CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda Furness (Freshman
at Agnes Scott) for winning our $500 STAND
Academic Scholarship. Her activism and resilience
is inspiring. Keep up the great work, Amanda!
3.
Need Activism ideas? Go to CampusActivism.org
and become active to your heart's desire.
Two
party systems are about winners and losers. Whether
you're cheering or jeering this week, congrats for
participating in our democratic system. Keep it
up, ladies!
Holler
back, y'all.
Wendy
