It’s a secret ballot for a reason

Dear Editor,

While I appreciate democracy and The United States of America, what I don’t appreciate is being harassed on my own campus for exercising basic rights that I have as a person and an American citizen. When I woke up on Election Day, I proudly stuck on my, “I Made a Difference and So can You” sticker I had waited a few weeks to wear due to casting my vote at home.

I knew that I would have to dodge more people with clipboards that morning asking me if I had voted, the same people who made my day-to-day around campus a chore for the past few months. I was used to dealing with these people all semester, but I never expected to happen what happened.

I walked out of Tri-Towers on my way to class. “Did you vote?” I was asked. I replied yes and was further questioned. “Who did you vote for?” I was only half surprised but told her I wasn’t telling her who I voted for and started on my way. My response was met from the boy standing near her with a “You just don’t want to tell us because you voted for McCain. Get out of here you McCain supporter!”

Get out of here? Who is he to judge me? Just because I am not sharing who I voted for doesn’t mean I voted against his ideal candidate. I don’t know why you needed to know who I voted for. If I told you I voted for Obama, would you have treated me with respect? We should all be supporting and encouraging each other to get out to the polls to vote, not harassing the people who don’t want to shove their opinions down other people’s throats like most people on this campus. People have different opinions than you. Grow up and get over it.

Brian Crowley

sophomore musical theater major

After this election, political activism should continue

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to all Kent State University students, faculty and alumni who participated and voted for historic change on Tuesday. Historic, that a man of color has been elected by voters crossing ethnic, cultural and racial lines. Historic, that a message has been sent across America and the universe that voter apathy in our country is dead for the moment. Historic, that we have demonstrated to the world that we are capable of electing someone to the highest office other than rich middle-aged white males who resemble game show hosts. The rest of the world is excited by this election and gives great hope that America will return to a land of opportunity and where dreams can come true.

The election kicked down the door of the status quo. It is only the first step; albeit a giant one. It is imperative that we all stay engaged politically and actively to keep this change moving strongly. This election proves that collectively the people of this country do hold the power. We all must communicate, cooperate and collaborate for those ideals and principles that we hold in common. We must reach out to the opponents of change and embrace them. We must stand together as Americans for our country and to all people on the planet.

A great debt of gratitude is owed to those who stood alongside Martin Luther King. A great debt of gratitude is owed to the unlikely coalition of hippies, Black Panthers and anti-war activists who merged together decades ago to fight for the cause of civil rights and the insane Vietnam War. These people made great sacrifices for the strong belief in their cause. Some made the ultimate sacrifice in dying for their cause.

Personally, the presidential election is the most historic peaceful act of civil disobedience I have witnessed in my five decades. Finally, Americans took action based on the downhill slide of our great nation. We do have the greatest nation on earth. Today, I feel much prouder to be an American than I have in a long time.

There is a great deal of hard work to be done on many levels. If we stand strong as we did on Election Day, and are willing to work hard, we can overcome the current obstacles and return this country to one that is envied by the world.

Tim Geraghty

Kent State alumnus, Canton