Mass Humanities

  • Our Mission
  • Our Strategic Plan
  • Our History
  • Annual Reports
  • About Our Grants
  • Past Grants Awarded
  • For Grantees
  • Clemente Course in the Humanities
  • Reading Frederick Douglass Together
  • Smithsonian Museum on Main Street
  • Mass Moments
  • Mass History Conference
  • Governor’s Awards
  • News & Stories

This Is Your Democracy

  • Introduction
  • Make a Difference
  • This is Your Democracy

Voting and Responsibility

My family and I, mainly, my sisters, were all sitting in the living room discussing voting and who was eligible. When it came time to vote on my eighteenth birthday, my sisters and I walked to the voting polls, because it was walking distance. Voting was held in a brick community building that we used to use to play games. It used to be a bunch of smaller rooms, but now it was open because of the polls. I finally felt like I was one of the ones to be counted as an adult. 

Growing up, I never really realized how lucky I was to be able to be living in America, to be an American citizen, and to have the power to vote as soon as I turned eighteen, as I was only months away from my eighteenth birthday, and actually being able to cast a vote. I began to develop a better understanding of my rights, privilege, and responsibility as a soon-to-be voter.

Growing up, I never really realized how lucky I was to be able to be living in America, to be an American citizen, and to have the power to vote as soon as I turned eighteen. As I was only months away from my eighteenth birthday, and actually being able to cast a vote.

First and foremost, as an American citizen, I was given the right to vote by the fifteenth amendment and the Constitution, but even though it is a fundamental freedom, I would still consider voting a privilege. After the United States gained independence from Britain, they gave me power to vote for whomever I please, so I can determine by choice who I would like to lead this country, to allow me to influence the decisions of the government to better this country, and I am glad they did just that.

Because we are given, or I am given, this precious right, I believe it is my responsibility to use it to the fullest, to help improve my country one vote at a time. If there is a change I want, I must use voting to make it happen. So, is voting my right, privilege, or responsibility? I think it is all in one, and likewise, one for all. I am grateful for it. I am grateful to be a citizen who has the right to share my stance with little to no judgement or penalties. When I finally did turn eighteen, you bet I was going to vote.

  • --> --> --> Instagram --> -->