I’ve been relatively quiet on the matter of politics, and I likely shall remain so. I’m not nearly informed enough to have an intelligent debate. Plus, from what I’ve seen online, “debate” seems questionable.
Conversations almost always devolve into an argument about some perceived injustice, slight, or inconsequential matter. No meetings of the minds occur; neither does any listening. People leave more firmly entrenched in their ideologies and political party stance than ever before.
I refuse to participate in activity like that. It benefits no one. Words should convict and exhort, not railroad or demean.
I will say one thing on the subject of politics, though: small acts matter. My vote matters, and so does yours. The thought arises not from historical movements, though I am grateful for the women who fought for the right to vote. It’s good and right to honor their struggle. Their actions, however, still seem far removed from me. I find little motivation in the statement, “You should vote because you’re a woman.” I instead procure it in the fact that my action, no matter how small, makes a difference.
It might be a negligible one, a small stone dropped into a pond, but it proves effective, if only to my spirit and conscience. It’s a gift to be able to exercise the rights given to me by the authorities. I perform the duties required of me as a citizen of the United States.
I refuse the voices that say I should vote for or against the clear-cut winner (Who can say who that is anyway? To my mind, the polling numbers offer little certainty.), that I should vote for the lesser evil. The statements offer no assurance and lack a certain type of validity. I should vote for the lesser evil? Why? How is that any different from voting for evil?
No. I should vote with my conscience. The saying already frays around its edges, but I find some comfort in it. I vote for the person I think of as “good,” and my conscience rests. It becomes a pool of calm water because I voted, because I believe that small acts build toward larger ones. I vote because small acts matter. They always will.
Image: Kelley Minars (Creative Commons)