Many people have countdown timers for their 18th birthday. This birthday of treasured adulthood is regarded in a way as more special than the other previous seventeen birthdays.  This momentous and milestone birthday is seen as the finale of  childhood, the marker of the next phase of life.  I’ve heard many people discuss the reasons they are so excited for this birthday, each with the same laundry list of reasons; lottery tickets and tattoos at the top. People long for the day they are fully independent, allowed to make these major life decisions without needing parental approval. While the idea of a tattoo and purchasing that coveted first lottery ticket sounds appealing, they are not the reasons I am excited for my 18th birthday.  The reason this upcoming birthday means so much to me is because it marks the beginning of a chapter I have long waited to open: the prospect of voting.

Now, I know that on the surface this sounds like a very lame reason to look forward to a birthday, but for me this is anything but a substantial event. I pride myself in not only being politically aware but politically active in the world around me. The ever changing political landscape of our society has seriously contributed to my fascination with our nation’s political system. I will admit my political beliefs could be described as intense as discussing current events is one of my favorite pastimes. Those who know me (both personally and by reputation alone) can attest to this. I can’t even name the sheer number of times I’ve held court over a political matter or a news headline.  I have not hidden my political opinions, in fact I thoroughly enjoy talking about them with anyone who will listen to me.  To me, politics are personal which is the very reason I’ve dedicated much of my profile here at The Viking Times to political stories. I have used this paper to share my beliefs and opinions, covering everything from issues of abortion to school shootings. My passion for politics has been driven by the very idea of  the day I can finally register to vote.  With a mere 4 months until I leave my childhood behind, the thought of finally casting a ballot occupies much of my thoughts.

Many people have asked me why I am so passionate about the conversation of voting or better yet why I care so deeply about politics.  At a young age, it was instilled in me that standing up for those who could not stand up for themselves was extremely important. My parents wanted me to become an advocate, to be someone unafraid to stand up for others. It always felt easier to stand up to play ground bullies when I was not the target.  Even today, I have no problem defending the people I care about but when it comes to defending myself, I struggle. I’ve always been passionate about fighting injustice (ranging from the smallest playground taunts to issues like women’s rights).  I think that it’s immensely important for people to challenge the behaviors and norms they disagree with as speaking up is the only way change will ever come.

Our ever changing political landscape provided much of the background noise of my childhood (for years I could rattle off the MSNBC nighttime weekly line up as comfortably as multiplication tables).  I began paying attention to the conversations my family was having, listening intensely as they complained about whatever Donald Trump had done to anger them that week.  As I matured, I began to form my own political opinions, holding my own as we all discussed the horrors of Trump’s first administration.  My sister served as a large inspiration for my activism.  The seven and a half years between us shaped my worldview substantially. While I was playing Four Square at recess, Joy was organizing a ‘walkout’ in Winthrop High School in support of March For Our Lives.  I remember when my cousins, aunt, dad and sister attended the first women’s march in Boston. I remember being angry that I could not go with them for the march, but my mom did not want her new 9-year old in a crowd that big. At the time, I did not even fully understand what they were doing or why it was so important. All I knew was that I wanted to be part of it.

My passion for politics has shaped me into the person I am today.  I firmly believe that the best way to make change is by using your voice to advocate for the issues that matter to you. The only thing more effective than a protest is  actually voting on the issues.  I formally believe that the best way to change the world is by voting on the issues. How can we make the world a better place if we do not do everything in our power to truly create change? In today’s political landscape, it feels as though voting is even more crucial for the survival of our nation. However due to this current administration, my fear of being able to actually cast a ballot grows by the day. I feel as though my vote will not matter, as though my vote will not actually impact the outcome.

This current administration does not value women or people with differing political beliefs than those in charge.  My vocal anger about this administration is never going to halter as I heavily disagree and disapprove of their policies.  The turmoil of this administration has made me think about the importance of my vote, whether my one liberal vote can truly save us.  I know that every ballot helps, but actually I am terrified of what this administration will do in an attempt to stop people from voting in the next election.  Make no mistake, the discouragement  of corrupt politicians will not stop me from voting.  My fears of this administration have only grown as their reign of terror has marched on. Considering the damage they have inflicted in the first 80 days, there is no telling what they will do over the next four years. America was designed to be a democratic nation, not one where the people live in fear of the presidential executive orders. We live in a country  where the unchecked power of a tyrannical leader could leave us destroyed.  The way our nation is heading, presidential elections will resemble that of Russia. If given the choice between sitting out and having no other option than a convicted felon as my president, I would rather sit out.  I know the importance of my vote and I could physically never cast a ballot for this current administration. I would rather stay silent than vote for the very man whose crusade on democracy will leave me without rights.