Civic Duty

When I was little my mother took me with her as she walked up and down the streets of our neighborhood, knocking on doors, ringing doorbells, "Are you registered to vote?" she'd ask, smiling, holding her clipboard and pen in one hand, her other hand holding mine. It is one of my favorite memories. She loved being a part of her neighborhood and her community, and every year she was out there registering people to vote - her 'civic duty' she said. Armed with those early lessons I have stood up and spoken out on numerous occasions in every city I've lived in. I've protested, screamed, yelled, listened (sometimes...), marched and voted. The right to vote is absolutely sacred to me and one I take seriously. Our elections this year will be challenging. Friends and family across the country will be divided on the issues and on what they think is best for our country. You cannot sit this one out - you cannot be apathetic, too much is at stake regardless of what side you're on. My mother would always say, "If you don't vote, you can't complain," truer words have never been spoken. To find out if you're registered to vote or to register visit www.vote.org