Youth vote must push to be heard

Mon, Nov 14th 2011, 08:22 AM

To be considered by political parties during election time groups and individuals at least have to be interested in the political process.  The apathetic, uninterested and uninvolved are more likely to be ignored.
Young Bahamians, those under 35, have an opportunity in the months to come.  The more that group engages with the democratic process, the more its issues will be part of the campaign.
For this to take place, young Bahamians must register to vote, go to political meetings and participate in discussions, form groups in and outside of political parties to project a collective voice, write to newspapers, call talk shows and read.
The issues of crime, education and joblessness are key issues nationally, but they are especially of concern for the young.  Young men are the main group incarcerated.  Young people are the ones most recently exposed to the poor national education system and many of them now face difficulty finding jobs.
The first step to pushing for change in these areas is engagement.  Too many young people have embraced vacant consumerism - that is, the mindset that life is merely about enjoying the pleasure derived from purchasing things.  Too many young people also spend too much time focused on entertainment culture.  The latest song, TV show and film are more a focus for some than why it is that the public education system in The Bahamas produces such poor results.
In democracies we the people are responsible for agitating for the change we desire.  It is not good enough to complain from the sideline while no effort is being made to bring about the result that is hoped for.
When politicians see well organized groups or passionate individuals who will not back down, in free societies they listen.  And at election time they listen and attempt to satisfy those people or groups in the hope of securing votes.  The young should seize this moment.
 
Remembering those who sacrificed
With Remembrance Day being celebrated yesterday we should not forget, in the contemporary setting, those in our security forces who sacrifice much to keep us safe.  They do today something similar to what those soldiers of yesteryear did to ensure we have the freedoms we now have.
Our police and defence forces, prison officers and immigration and customs officers in various ways put themselves in harm's way to ensure that we can live more peaceful lives.  The men and women of these organizations do not make large salaries.  They are often criticized also when they do not get it right or when some who wear the uniforms violate the law and trust of the community.
The overwhelming majority of the men and women in these organizations, however, are honest and hardworking and we owe them our gratitude.  Some of the work they do will never be seen or will never be known.  That work makes The Bahamas a better place.
 

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