Value My Voice Not Just My Vote

As Alix Olson energized Sunday’s crowd in DC with her vision of Cunt Cuntry I found myself reflecting on the state of young feminist movement and our role in this cuntry.
Though excited by the large number of young women who attended the March on Sunday, I was disappointed by our lack of presence onstage. While it was OUR voices that filled the streets with chants, OUR voices were largely marginalized on the microphone.
As I listened to the messages of the mostly middle-aged speakers, I felt that a young feminist perspective and message was largely missing. Instead of inviting young women into the ranks of feminist movement—instead of challenging us to go out and change the world–young feminists were given the simple mandate to “GO HOME AND VOTE.”
As a young feminist, I feel that we have much more to offer the political future of this country than [just] a ballot.
I didn’t vote in 2000. I made the decision not to vote because I did not want to support a system of negative freedom; voting for the lesser of two evils didn’t seem like electoral democracy.
And while I still feel largely alienated by electoral politics, four years later I am making a different decision. Howard Zinn aptly described my feelings towards this year’s election in an interview with Punk Planet: “For 30 seconds, you swallow your pride. But before and after the voting booth you are a relentless critic of our policy—whether it’s the Republicans or Democrats who urge it.”
While I refuse to be a “Woman for Kerry”, this year I will be a “Feminist Activist Against Bush.” So ladies, I encourage you to go out and vote, but don’t be fooled. You have a much larger contribution to make to feminist movement. As young feminists we must plan conferences, write articles, organize benefits, volunteer and protest. We must make our voices heard.
In her Riot Grrrl Manifesto Kathleen Hanna wrote, “I believe with my wholeheartmindbody that girls constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world for real.” I believe we will too; but only by being active both inside AND outside the voting booth.