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Random Thu Oct 16 2008
Politically Charged
As we approach two major events in the next few weeks, Halloween and Election Day, it is time for children regardless of age to dress up as their favorite character, politician, monster, etc. In offices buildings across the country adults will be joining in on the celebration and acting like the children they once were. Through the thin walls of my beige cubicle I can over hear departments planning their themes and costumes. On Tuesday, one department had voted on dressing as their favorite political figures (how exciting!), and they had McCain, Obama, Palin, Bidden all covered. On Wednesday they were told that the "climate was too politically charged" and they had to settle for dressing as the folks from Grey's Anatomy. That phrase stuck in my head for a while, "Politically Charged", what does that mean? What would happen if someone came to work on October 31st dressed as John McCain? Would there be violence? Seriously, it is Halloween!
I didn't fully understand until I received a message from Arizona's DJ Z-Trip. Attached was a link to his latest mix, cleverly titled "Obama Mix", and a link to a few video's from the Democratic Convention. Here is the quote that jumped out at me, "If the wrong guy again got put in office, and everyone's fully wide-eyed, like this isn't gonna happen, it's happened enough times, I'm not gonna let this happen and it happened. You are gonna have a lot of people who feel like the system is out to get them." Politically charged, this is a different message then just "Rock the Vote" or if you prefer "Vote or Die", this is saying vote my way or there will be problems. The next day I received another message from a hip hop promoter, and his point was simple, "for those who are tired of everything we as Americans have to be tired of and are ready to implement a change, as the title of this mixtape states "Yes We Can"!"
[LINK] Z-Trip - Obama Mix
[LINK] Green Lantern - Yes We Can Mix
On November 4th, those individuals who are passionate enough to take ten minutes out their busy television schedules and walk into their local polling places will do so, just like they did four or eight or twelve years ago. The point is to vote. Right? Your choice is personal, and based on the values that you hold closest to your heart. Not the values of Chuck D or Jello Biafra, but your personal values. So I will say, just vote.