Opinion: Why am I voting for a third party
I vote for a third party as my direct attempt to involve myself. It is important for me not to uphold values that would vouch for anyone supporting genocide and the interests of the elites. No matter how you package Democrats or Republicans, it’s sickening to decide who deserves to live or die.
Donald J. Trump doesn’t hide from his outright racist sentiments against immigrant communities or women, and Kamala Harris continues to defend Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians with no remorse. I can’t vote for death, humiliation and inhumanity. In other words, what’s the difference between Coke and Pepsi when they both give you diabetes?
The constant glamorization of celebrity figures blends into political candidates. We often forget that they are representatives who represent you and me.
I want to be uncomfortable with the realities that we currently face and demand changes below the tip of the iceberg. I often look back at moments in my life where I felt a blatant injustice wasn’t just cruel but a result of a system that doesn’t value others unless they are producing some sort of outcome. That outcome is often monetary which often leads to easy exploitation.
In previous elections, I looked at my surroundings, my neighborhood, my family, the people I chose to be around. I asked myself, what values do I support that would make things more accessible and possible for future generations?
In my senior year of high school, many of my friends iconically supported Obama. The magic of having the first black president was casting a shadow over the realities that came from choices made by the Obama administration. Deportations of our communities continued but that wasn’t talked about. We rejoiced in the false sense of protection. Are we only citizens once a year?
My vote for Jill Stein is a small way to challenge the current political landscape. I want a candidate who is for the people and supports the planet with a regenerative plan. I want a candidate that speaks out for Palestinian life and shows efforts towards transparency in the here and now.
If we’re not the seeds, who will be?
