Tears of Joy

Full disclaimer: I cry A LOT. Be it because of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, cute things, pain in my ovaries or just pure joy, I bawl because my face is telling me to do it.

I got to vote today. I am 22. It has been 8 years since anyone in this country had the opportunity and I was excited as a diabetic planning a midnight fridge raid.

I voted because I had the chance. I voted because I wanted to be part of the process.  I voted because, because. because. 

I kai-colo'd dat ink goooood.

The last elections I was a space-headed teenager. I didnt understand a thing. I was far more concerned with anime, nacho baskets and figuring out whether I was broken or not because i didnt want to kiss any/all of the things. 

As a 22 year old I have heard heart-breaking and uplifting stories. I have finished high school and a degree. I have seen what it means when people cant get decent healthcare, decent food, decent living conditions. I want the right to talk back to my decision makers. I want a stable now, not a promise of some stable future. I want to contribute.

I went around the island today. I saw way too many fires, filmed an interview with a rural female candidate, watched people walk barefoot to polling stations, parents struggling with babies and toddlers and wily children. I saw my aunt being escorted out of our polling station because she rightfully stood up to a rude official. 

I also got hit in the back a lot by a guys ginormous pot-belly, but thats just a thing that happened today.

As my mother drove us back home, after 6pm, we were listening to the news and hearding what people were saying, their joy at getting this day, this chance, I choked up. We had ELECTIONS. It may be just some illusion but fuck that, i voted and I am not going to let any elected leader tell me what I want. 

I want to be part of stopping our coup culture jokes. I want stability. 

pew pew I shoot you with my fresh democratic rights.