Non-voters: They Don't Know Who We Be
"They don't know who we be
They don't know who we be"
"What they don't know is
The bullshit, the drama (uh), the guns, the armor (what!)
The city, the farmer, the babies, the mama (what!)
The projects, the drugs (uh!), the children, the thugs (Uh!)
The tears, the hugs, the love, the slugs (c'mon!)
The funerals, the wakes, the churches, the coffins (uh!)
The heartbroken mothers - it happens too often (why?)
The problems, the things we use to solve 'em (what!)
The hurt, the pain, the dirt, the rain (uh!)
The jerk, the fame, the work, the game (uh!)"
(From DMX song, "Who We Be")
Our mailboxes, timelines, phone calls, emails, and television screens are bombarded with political ads and messages about voting. Whether you live in the suburbs or live in the hood, there is no hiding from this year's election season.
According to the United States Election Project (USEP), there are currently 239,247,182 "voting - eligible" adults in the USA. This number excludes felons, prisoners, non - citizens and others for various reasons. The voter - turnout rate on average during presidential election years is usually around sixty percent.
In 2016, there wer e 230,931,921 "voting - eligible" adults in the USA, and the USEP estimated that 138,846,571 people voted. That means that regularly 40% of "voting - eligible" people are non - voters. They don't vote.
And though campaigns spend millions of dollars to swing the "undecided - voter," studies show that all political parties virtually ignore non - voters.
Who are they?
According to the Pew Research Center, compared to voters, "non - voters" are likely to be younger, less educated, less affluent, and non - white."
Therefore, non - voters are likely to be disproportionately low -income, housing and food insecure, and disenchanted with the political process.
So, because they are hard to engage, they are forgotten, neglected, and lost in the system.
They feel that they have no voice or reason to vote. I would even venture to say that it's not just voter apathy; it's voter antipathy. Antipathy means to have a strong dislike, disdain, or hostility against something, while apathy is a complete lack of emotion or interest or enthusiasm about something or somebody. Many of the nonvoters are not just apathetic; they are antipathetic.
"The jealousy, the envy, the phony, the friendly (uh-huh!) The one that gave 'em the slugs, the one that put 'em in me (woo!) The snakes, the grass too long to see (uh, uh!) The lawnmower sittin' right next to the tree (c'mon!)" (From DMX song, "Who We Be")
Some non - voters feel victimized by the system. They don't feel like any politician can represent them. They believe the fight for their vote makes them a pawn in a game. The political commotion and the complicated design of the electoral process blind them; they can't see, through the long grass, that voting could make their lives better and the system less complicated.
For instance, in 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the election because of the electoral college vote.
If more people had voted in swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, she would have gained more electoral college votes and could have been elected. Besides all of the voting complications, this year has been taxing for many non - voters. The hardships and difficulties of this year have led to higher crime rates and social unrest, even here in Grand Rapids.
"What we seeing is The streets, the cops, the system, harassment (uh-huh) The options, get shot, go to jail, or getcha ass kicked (a'ight) The lawyers, the part they are of the puzzle (uh-huh) (From DMX song, "Who We Be")
In 2001, the rapper DMX released an album called the Great Depression; on that album is a single called "Who We Be." Throughout this article, I shared its lyrics to give voice to those who feel the way the artist did.
Like DMX, many young black men feel that they have no control and live in the world in a hopeless state. However, I also want to encourage them to follow the model of Lebron James and Snoop Dog in 2020.
Those with either apathy or antipathy for the voting process can still engage the moment and help make change. They, too, can start a lawnmower.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library
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