Voting for Country, Or for Hollywood?

Qres M. Ephraim, Staff Reporter

Qres_Ephraim@csumb.edu

May 8, 2008

Democracy is often undervalued

by today’s generation. Whether

suffering from laziness, indifference,

or disillusionment, young people

are dropping the ball. The U.S

Census Bureau reports during the

2004 presidential election, of the

34 million people not registered to

vote, 47percent stated they were

not interested in politics, “while 79

percent of citizens 55 and older were

registered to vote in 2004, only 58

percent of younger citizens were.”

Despite the disappointing numbers,

there are people trying to change what

“The Daily Show” host, Jon Stewart,

calls “democratic inaction.”

Since 1990, the non-profit group

“Rock The Vote” has have been

encouraging young people to make

their voices heard through political

involvement. “Rock The Vote” was

founded with the aid of mainstream

entertainers such as The Red Hot

Chili Peppers and rocker Iggy Pop,

in response to what was deemed “a

wave of attacks on freedom of speech

and artistic expression.” While “Rock

the Vote” succeeded in creating a

new wave of voters, they created the

foundation for what could be called

the “Hollywood Endorsement”.

The 2004 election spawned a

new group of voter registration

organizations, all with Hollywood

support. Rapper Diddy’s program,

“Vote or Die,” was supported by many

celebrities ranging from socialite Paris

Hilton to R&B songstress Mary J.

Blige. “Declare Yourself,” founded by

television producer Norman Lear, and

“Voto Latino,” co-founded by actress

Rosario Dawson, were publicized and

supported by music artists, actors,

and major Young Hollywood players,

all aiming to increase young voter

participation. And today’s political

scene has followed suit.

It seems this election has had

more Hollywood influence than any

other. Oprah Winfrey, arguably the

most powerful woman in the world,

publicly endorsed hopeful Democratic

Candidate Barack Obama, her only

endorsement in 25 years. And

the stars followed suit: “Desperate

Housewives’” Eva Longoria for

Hillary, “The Hills’” Heidi Montag for

Republican candidate John McCain…

the list goes on. But no celebrity

endorsement garnered more buzz

than the viral “Yes, We Can” music

video created by Black Eyed Peas

front man Will I. Am. The video, an

Obama speech set to music, contained

cameos from Jessica Alba, Scarlett

Johansson, John Legend and many

others. It is apparent that the media

is not satisfied with simply covering

politics; Hollywood wants your vote.

Hollywood’s political involvement

is all good and well, but are college

students falling for post-modern

propaganda? MTV news correspondent

Gideon Yago gives young Americans

credit stating, “Young voters are so

savvy to media tricks. They can weed

through the chaff… a lot better than

their parents.” Furthermore, CSU

Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Human

Communication junior Jasdip Basra

states that “I could care less what

actors think about politics.”

For all of Hollywood’s tactics,

young people are still making their own

decisions. But this remains: America

needs you to vote. Change will not be

bought about on whims of the old, but

on the strength of the young. America

is our country; it is up to us to shape it

into a great nation.