5 Reasons Why Latinx Citizens Should Go Out & Vote in the 2020 Election
EDUC 575 | By: Lisandro Valdivia Saucedo
The 2020 election… why should you, as a Latinx citizen, care about it?
So much is on the line this election and we, the Latinx people, need to take initiative and perform our civic duties which past generations have fought for us to have. Our vote can bring everlasting change that has been long overdue to our communities, our families, and ourselves. Many eligible Latinx voters may not acknowledge the importance of voting which can pose many difficulties for future generations to come. Below, I will explain 5 main reasons as to why you should vote in this upcoming election (and in years to come).
1) Because you can.
You are an American citizen: that is an undeniable fact. You, just like any other citizen in this country, have the legal right to vote and make a life-changing impact in this country. No one can inhibit you from your right regardless if you have a very common Latinx last name, brown skin, thick accent, gained citizenship through naturalization, come from a low-income background, or can speak in another tongue, it does not mean you are any less American than any other citizen in this country. No other citizen has more or less legal rights than you; therefore, you should take advantage of the gifts you have been granted. Never forget you carry the same power as anyone else in your community, but how you utilize it is your choice.
2) Bring change to our communities.
Like many other minority ethnic groups in the US, Latinxs, unfortunately, face a plethora of hardships that deter them from living a sustainable and happy life in the US. Some of these hardships include unequal access to education, racial profiling from law enforcement, fear of deportation, and much more; However, if Latinxs show up to the polls and vote, then they can bring change to their communities. By situating representatives who are aware of these social injustices and who will fight for the demands of Latinxs in the seats of power, you and many other Latinxs can bring everlasting change to your communities sooner rather than later for you and for future generations to relish.
3) Increase in Latinx Representation.
In the 2020 election, for the first time in history, Latinxs are the largest ethnic group of voters accounting for approximately 32 million potential voters, which is approximately 13.3 % of all eligible voters. This is a big deal. Now that there is an increasing amount of eligible Latinx voters, there can be an increase in the representation of Latinx people in our local and federal governments. In addition, we can re-illustrate how other people in this country view Latinxs by demonstrating that we have power and that we will use this power to bring change to our communities. With more representation, more attention will be focused on the Latinx people which will benefit lots of Latinx citizens and non-citizens in the future.
4) Others will take initiative if you don’t.
Everyone continuously seeks change for themselves and their communities; however, not everyone shares the same mindset of change in this country. As result, if you do not wish to take action and civically participate by voting to demonstrate your demand for change, then other people will take advantage of their rights and get what they want, while you may not benefit. If you don’t act on bringing what you believe is a beneficial change to your own life, no one else will. It lies in your hands. This is why voting is so crucial. If you don’t vote, and other people do, you will be powerless to bring change to your community and surroundings. Don’t let others take advantage of you not exercising your rights and make sure to take action.
5) Honor those whose voices cannot be heard.
One of the most important reasons eligible Latinx citizens should vote is to honor those people who can’t. Many Latinxs’ parents and guardians are undocumented residents who have sacrificed so much to get to this country and to live a better life, not only for themselves but also for their families; however, they can not voice their opinions due to their citizenship status. With no citizenship, they hide in the shadows and are silenced, hoping for things to change. Who can bring this change which can help these undocumented residents? YOU! We can make a difference by civically showing up when they most need us by going to the polls and exercising our right to vote and bring change to our communities. Your vote is their vote.
You are important. You are valued. You are the change in our future. Latinxs may be underrepresented in this country, but we can change that in no time by being engaged in our communities and by completing our civic duties. You are the change that this country desperately needs. The future you hope to see one day depends on the actions you take today, so make every move count and go vote by November 3rd!
Best of Luck,
Lisandro
