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The african american youth/college vote - a frontline commentary


I am one of those non-traditional (re: old) students at a traditional historically black college (HBCUs). I've bemoaned the lack of maturity, scholarship and commitment as us old people are prone to do. However, what I have seen over the past few months has been nothing short of paradigm changing.

In every class; whether it be a literature, philosophy or science class, the topic of every class discussion is this election. The conversations are littered with slang and text-speak. They are also steeped in passion and commitment. These kids - some of the most disenfranchised and historically apathetic - care. They care about energy. They care about the tone of the advertising. They care about Sarah Palin. They care. Professors can barely keep hold of the reins as students relate you tube clips, emails and facebook posts that sparked their interest. It is a sight to behold.

These kids have never been polled. They are the invisible. The cynics and the old fogeys and the historians will tell you these kids also do not vote. They would be both right and wrong. They have never voted but they do now.

Last night I got a text from a local student group about a march to the polls. Let me repeat: I got a text. At midnight. About a march to the polls.Today several thousand students on my campus WALKED to the nearest polling station to participate in early voting. The peer pressure to vote is huge. Kids are shouting out the latest Jeezy lyrics AND a quick "get your vote on, man" with equal amounts of seriousness. This is not a joke. An "I voted" sticker is the new throwback jersey and Dereon jean. Students will be holding daily marches during early voting. The get out the vote effort is one of the most organized, impassioned, revolutionary I have ever witnessed or read about.

I'm not saying the tsunami is coming. However, I am saying that all the pundits who think of history as future may be in for a huge surprise.

Get your vote on, man, indeed.


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I, too, am an "old" student, taking classes on an urban campus filled with young students of every color and class. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard the kids, who often look like every bad stereotype out there, having intelligent, passionate discussions about the issues. It gives me real hope for the future.

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tressiemc

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