{"id":80838,"date":"2024-10-31T08:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/?p=80838"},"modified":"2024-10-31T08:50:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:50:15","slug":"earlham-politicos-rocking-the-vote-with-ojeanique-twyman-and-aidan-carter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlham.edu\/news-events\/earlham-politicos-rocking-the-vote-with-ojeanique-twyman-and-aidan-carter\/","title":{"rendered":"Earlham Politicos: Rocking the vote with O’Jeanique Twyman and Aidan Carter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Editor’s note: this is part three of an ongoing series, “Earlham Politicos,” that investigates how alums, current students, and faculty\/staff are engaging politically this election season.<\/em> For part one, click here<\/a>.<\/em> For part two, click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aidan Carter graduated from Earlham in 2021 as a Peace and Global Studies major and now works for Earlham\u2019s Center for Social Justice.  For him and center director O\u2019Jeanique Twyman, one of the key issues is voting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"O'Jeanique<\/span>
O’Jeanique Twyman and Aidan Carter pose with signs posted for National Voter Registration Day<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough many of my courses,\u201d says Carter, \u201cI recall extensively learning how complicated our history of voting is in the United States, and the amount of challenge that various communities fighting for their dignity to be treated as equals were faced with. In a country where, for much of its history, the first and only folks allowed to vote were property owning white men, it\u2019s important we recognize that access to voting has not always been an available tool for Americans to participate in their democratic process. I feel at times that this is something lost on younger generations, and how this can work for us as a tool, especially as it relates to electing the legislature, and with a lot of the prevalent mistrust in our institutions with recent elections.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Washington, who grew up in poverty or near it, the drive and inspiration are more personal, but the social justice duo see eye to eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the issue of social justice, I have always been a person that believes people should be treated fairly and that their basic human needs should be met,\u201d she says. \u201cMore than that, I have always known that systems were not built to treat people fairly or to provide them with what is necessary to survive. My own lived experience is a testament to my commitment, growing up the way I did meant that many times we were on the receiving end of various resources. Since then, I promised myself that I would do my best to give back, to include my voice and vote on issues that are important to me and my community. I promised to educate others on issues which I am knowledgeable to dispel myths and untruths.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both have been working this election cycle to get more of Earlham\u2019s students politically engaged and registered to vote. They recently had a successful turnout during National Voter Registration Day on September 16 \u2014 a wonderful sign of engagement from younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe this election cycle our role is to provide our students with factual information that will make them informed voters and to create safe spaces for them to explore their various political beliefs in a respectful manner,\u201d says Twyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThough we may have a diverse set of beliefs represented on our campus, Indiana is a historically red state. Encouraging young voters to see their power especially in rural settings definitely requires a lot of educational tools,\u201d Carter says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith many issues of social justice, the closer you observe, there often tends to be contradictions, pitfalls and challenges, hopes and critiques that make us feel as though there\u2019s no straight line between what we want and need as people, and action that will allow us to get that,\u201d adds Carter. \u201cI think this is a popular sentiment as it relates to voting, and if we had more ability at times to engage in our communities especially around local elections and legislative elections, we could see the light at the end of our voting decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twyman and Carter both see that light and recognize the work ahead is long but hopefully fruitful and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a lot on our plate when it comes to engaging students in meaningful discussion around this coming election,\u201d says Carter, \u201cbut have so many opportunities to grow together in our perspective, and challenge some of the disillusionment with politics in this country, and find some meaningful action together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely easier said than done,\u201d adds Twyman, \u201cbut it\u2019s doable, even in your own backyard. Personally, I try to do things within my own community or my church, and that\u2019s just as meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Written by Jay Kibble, writer\/editor for Earlham’s Marketing Office<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Media contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brian Zimmerman<\/strong>
Assistant vice president of strategic communications
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Email: zimmebr@earlham.edu
Phone: 765.983.1256<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n