When I was younger, I often avoided political conversations. My hesitance was largely due to my limited understanding of the political system and a fear of engaging in heated debates. I hadn’t taken the time to evaluate my own political beliefs; while I could name the key figures in my party, I struggled to articulate my stance.
As a result, I let election seasons pass me by with minimal engagement. Although I participated in national elections every four years, I was largely unaware of what Congress actually did and found it difficult to support the leaders in Washington.
That all shifted for me after a tragic event—the Virginia Tech shootings in April 2007, when 32 students lost their lives to a troubled individual. Along with the rest of the nation, I watched in horror as discussions about gun control, campus safety, and mental health services unfolded. I felt a deep sense of sorrow as I viewed the images of the young victims and grappled with the apparent fragility of our society.
As a mother preparing to send my son off to kindergarten, I became increasingly concerned about his safety in an unpredictable world. Questions flooded my mind: Who would safeguard him from potential threats at school? What resources did our community have for those struggling with mental illness? Where exactly were my local tax dollars allocated? Regrettably, I had no answers, but I was determined to seek them out.
Fortuitously, a local politician organized a pancake breakfast shortly thereafter, and I decided to attend. I arranged for childcare, but I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as I approached the event. Why should I question a government official? Who was I to challenge the status quo or disrupt a pleasant breakfast with my inquiries about safety and mental health?
I was simply a concerned mother. I was a woman who had finally decided to confront her fears about appearing uninformed on important issues. And I was a citizen of a nation where countless individuals fought for my right to voice my concerns.
As I sat down with my pancakes and coffee in that bustling fire hall, I listened intently and waited for my opportunity to speak. When it was my turn, I was initially hesitant. I nervously stood, twisting my wedding rings, and scanned the room filled with everyday people like me. But I found my voice and asked the politician what measures he planned to implement to ensure my son’s safety in light of the Virginia Tech tragedy. In that moment, I felt empowered.
To his credit, he provided a thoughtful response, discussing budget constraints, bureaucratic challenges, and differing party perspectives. While he didn’t have all the answers, I felt heard, and that was significant. At the end of the breakfast, when he introduced me to the local fire chief, I was reassured by his explanation of the safety protocols in place for our schools. He even showed me the school blueprints he kept in his vehicle and assured me that he would do everything possible to protect my son.
I left that breakfast feeling invigorated—not from the pancakes, but from a newfound sense of agency. That fall, I cast my first vote in a local election, and it was for that politician.
This is why I vote. Not to engage in conflict or to belittle opposing views, but because voting empowers me to take control in a chaotic political landscape. When I hear disheartening rhetoric on the news, I remind myself that I have a voice that can influence change with a single lever pull. I vote because my local representatives are part of my community—they shop in the same stores, they are everyday people.
I vote because I am no longer that timid woman who once avoided discussions about politics. I vote because it wasn’t that long ago that women had to fight for the right to participate in elections. I vote because I believe in my convictions, and I no longer retreat from political discussions. I feel like a superhero when I step into that voting booth and cast my ballot.
Whatever it takes—whether finding a babysitter, bringing your children along, or carving out time during your lunch break—make it a priority to vote this November.
Summary
In this article, the author shares her transformation from a politically disengaged individual to an empowered voter, catalyzed by the tragic Virginia Tech shootings. Through attending a local politician’s pancake breakfast, she finds her voice and learns the importance of civic engagement. She emphasizes that voting is not only a right but a means to take control of one’s community and future, urging others to participate in the electoral process.
Keyphrase: why I choose to vote
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