Election 2024: Uniting a country divided primary hope for Americans
By Janice Lee, shades Magazine
“You can protest until the sky turns yellow or the moon turns blue, and it’s not going to change anything if you don’t vote.” — Dolores Huerta
If you are still withholding your ballot, consider what is at stake in this year’s U.S. elections: Reproductive rights, climate change, immigration and freedom of information, at minimum.
Maybe these issues are not at the front of your mind as you are dealing with your own economic stability or a mental health challenge. But this election you can’t afford to sit out.
Elect the leaders that best represent the issues that matter to you. Don’t be discouraged by the overwhelming elections ads or the nasty mudslinging.
Bottom line: You must vote.
“Even as music unites us in pain, it helps us process joy.” — Stacey Abrams from the documentary “Louder: The Soundtrack of Change”
Our shades Magazine “Vote” playlist sets the tone for the significance of your vote in preserving democracy. The artists are a diversity of Americans performing in the styles of folk, blues, R&B, country, jazz, rap, broadway, maybe EDM, punk and definitely some of the best pop ballads of our times.
Use our playlist to get in the mood to finish reading through the ballot book. Share it when your friends gather to mark your own ballots. Play it the morning of elections to remind you to go to the polls before they close or to motivate you during the long day.
About the artist
“I was an art teacher for young people for many years, hoping to inspire self expression, creativity, imagination and critical thinking. I believe art used to serve the people and shed light on social and political issues can empower and create change. Art can encourage empathy, connections and community and empower hearts and minds. I am now a freelance artist from San Francisco and have worked in many mediums, from paintings to digital art.”