A lot of people are arguing right now about voting.

The same arguments that went on 4 years ago.

“Should you vote your conscience, or should you vote for the lesser of two evils?”

There’s a lot of shaming, and coercing, and weaponizing people’s statements to get people to vote for the candidate they deem the “lesser evil.” I’m not particularly interested in any of that.

My new concern is not about whether or not somebody chooses to vote or not vote. My question is “what are you going to do AFTER the election, regardless of who wins?”

A lot of people don’t have an answer for that.

The election can’t be the only way you engage politically. Especially not after everything that has happened this year. This is something that I’m beginning to learn.

Casting a vote will not magically result in justice for George Floyd. Or Ahmaud Arbery. Or Breonna Taylor. Or Elijah McClain. Or Toyin Salau. Or the numerous trans women that have been killed this year.

Casting a vote will not suddenly result in employment for the millions of people who lost their jobs this year due to COVID-19.

Casting a vote will not magically curb the exploitation of the modern American worker. Casting a vote will not, out of thin air, put a roof over a houseless person’s head.

Casting a vote will not suddenly end gun violence. Or create justice for those slain by racists. Or slow the degradation of the environment.

Here’s the reality: regardless of who wins, there will be major work to do afterwards.

And here’s another reality: a lot of people are not interested in real change.

They merely want things to return to “the status quo.”

They want to return to a time where the president didn’t go on Twitter tirades.

They want to be able to take their photo ops at the White House. And drape an American flag around their neck. And celebrate the 4th of July.

They want a brand of white supremacy that’s slightly less obvious, and nothing more.

If you think that you will be able to cast a vote in November and suddenly everything will return to normal

you’re delusional.

Instead of harassing a pessimist into voting for a candidate they hate, ask yourself, “what do I plan to do after _____ wins the election?

How do I plan to push _____ on the issue of police defunding? And swift climate change/energy initiatives? And decriminalization? And economic empowerment of poor communities? And protection of the queer/trans community? And ending gun violence?

What are ways I can engage and enact change in my local community? In my city? In my county? In my state?

Etc etc?”

If you don’t have an answer to those questions, then maybe,

instead of spending time worrying about what other people are going to do this November

spend more time thinking about what you plan on doing December and beyond.