“WE VOTE FOR NOT ONLY OURSELVES, BUT ALL ‘SONS AND DAUGHTERS’ AND EVERY LAYER AND INTERSECTION OF IDENTITY. WE VOTE FOR EACH OTHER”

-YARA SHAHIDI

With 2020 on the horizon and voting booths opening up in Louisiana, there is no way the monumental voter-registration campaign Eighteen x 18 , which was started by Yara Shahidi in January of 2018, can be ignored.

The Eighteen x 18 website is an easy to use platform that also allows users to register to vote in a quick and easy manner. The Eighteen x18 instagram is full of inspiration and reminders related to voting. With a resource such as this we can be encouraged that this generation is headed in a positive direction in regards to making our voices heard by those with political power.

Eighteen x 18 was made in hopes of encouraging this generation to VOTE #WeVoteNow! Yara was encouraged to start eighteen x 18 when she discovered that even with her level of political involvement she was left wanting and searching for more information about the midterm elections in 2018 (Bustle).

Voting starts before we turn 18, it starts in the classroom, at home, and in all the spaces we occupy because ultimately, our vote reflects our opinions, beliefs, experiences and dreams. With this being said, we can make a difference in our everyday life by sharing our truth with others. We deserve to share this with the world and with our country, whether that be through voting, conversations, decisions, or simply the way we live our life.

Yara shines light on the idea that politics go beyond voting with an essay she wrote for Vice. In this essay she shares how it’s about, “being active citizens at every point in your personal evolution. Active citizenship takes so many forms. How can we be involved in policy? How can we be involved in getting to know our representatives? How can we be involved in cultural change? Cultural change is underrated because political change creates such immediate effect, but cultural change has a much more lasting impact. Think about the idea that culture ultimately lasts longer than a generation. That’s powerful.”

Although this program is designed to reach the new and younger voters, this can be an inspiration and stepping stone for all voters alike to be proactive and use their voice and their platform in order to help others do the same.

We have the power and the opportunity. It is now in our control whether or not we take action. #hitthepolls

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Keep up-to-date:

Website: Eighteen x 18

Instagram: Eighteen x 18

Louisiana Voting Resources

xoxo,

Bri