Our obligation to freedom is voting

I cannot remember the last time I was this inspired. After listening to Barack Obama’s and Hilary Clinton’s speeches at the Democratic National Convention, an electric wave of enthusiasm carried me to another dimension.

Their speeches left me exalted, excited and more entrenched in the ideas that brought me back to school.

Clinton ended her speech by evoking Harriet Tubman’s spirit, “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they’re shouting at you, keep going. Don’t ever stop, keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

That is the epitome of progress: looking ahead and moving forward.

Although friends (justifiably) accuse me of cynicism and skepticism, in my heart I believe in the inner-resolve of humanity. Personal conflicts, setbacks and sufferings cannot outlast our union.

As we seek a higher education, we strengthen our individual link in this mighty chain of alliance. Every day at the college, I get the chance to witness a new generation forging ahead and becoming the torchbearers for a brighter future.

However, I do not want “change” for change’s sake. I want something better. Given the freedoms of a Democratic society, we have an obligation to make the American promise attainable to all.

In his speech, Obama preached about the strength and grace needed to bridge our divides, so we may unite in a common effort.

“That’s the promise of America, the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise and fall as one nation, the fundamental belief that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper,” said Obama.

The polarizing divide of the United States is slowly isolating us from the rest of the world. This election is about restoration—not abortion, religious idiosyncrasies, expensive shoes or counting mansions. Even the true issues—an economical caste system strangling the middle-class, neglected environmental sustainability concerns and the maintained status quo of racial, gender and sexual inequalities—are not what is most important.

The real issue is seizing the freedom democracy offers and taking progressive action. At the very least this means preparing to vote on Nov. 4.

For many students, this election marks the first opportunity to exercise America’s most basic and fundamental right. The progressive sentiments poignantly expressed at the convention echo what I see every day at the college.

I see young men and women improving themselves, looking ahead, and preparing to make their world better. We can only do this by courageously moving forward and bravely embracing the audacity hope beckons.

Contact D.M. Scott, culture editor, at dscott12@jccc.edu