My name is Matthew Frost and I attend Manchester Community College. Citizenship and voting is and always will be something very important to me. When I first immigrated to America I came over on a visa that did not allow me to work. I moved halfway through my Junior year of high school and the transition was a tough one. I worked part time as a janitor after school until I was able to transition over to a green card. This finally allowed me to work legitimately and to be conscripted into the army if necessary; a legitimate concern at the time given that 9/11 had just happened and many were unsure exactly how the United States would proceed. Fortunately, that ended up not being a concern, and so I continued on to university. 

While I was studying at university I listened to politics and saw many of my friends talk about voting and influencing political issues and I always felt cut off from the conversation. As an immigrant with a green card I could not vote, and for a while I felt like this meant that my opinion was a little less than others, or more specifically that my thoughts were not as relevant since I was unable to practically apply them. Then I met Professor Phillips. I was studying Psychology and working full time at a Psychiatric Hospital to help pay my way. She was particularly interested in the Free Air Bill that was under consideration in Massachusetts, and decided to take some of her students with her to the State House to hear the Special Committee for Psychiatric Issues debate the matter. This was my first real experience observing politics and I saw people from all walks of life testify; there were former patients, the head of a hospital, a spokesperson from a psychiatric organization, and then my professor spoke. I learned that day that even without the ability to vote, there were many different ways that we can make our thoughts and concerns heard.

Voting is a privilege that I can and do currently express, but I think that we as Americans can’t stop there. It is our duty to vote in local and state elections, as well as talk to our governors or learn how we can stand up for the things that we hold dear to ourselves. We are living in a time where there is a confluence of disharmonious viewpoints which means that the direction we are heading as a nation is not yet set in stone. I feel that if I don't act now to exert my viewpoint by both voting as well as volunteering where I can, then I won't have the right later to criticize the outcome. I also believe that when folks choose not to vote they are letting others make their decisions for them. This will always be a dangerous gamble, because the less people vote the more people are not having their opinions heard. It is more likely that bills passed will reflect only the voting minority, and not all Americans who will be impacted by laws that are passed. Because of this I believe it is the right and duty of all American’s to vote and express their viewpoints.

 

Women and men have been present throughout history, one cannot exist without the other. However, over the years and through history women have been seen as inferior or less important than men. That does not mean that this idea was right, however it was accepted by many. Women have the same importance and authority as men. Though both genders may have differences, they have the same value as a human being. 

 

At the start of the Women’s Rights movement, some men strived to uphold their higher position in society. However triumphantly, through peaceful protests and inspiring rhetoric, the petition of women's rights was heard and accepted 100 years ago. These petitions were about equally for everyone, and rights of a women to be equal to a man. 

 

Today, having the ability to vote means equality and democracy for everyone. Every person has the power to choose the candidate that they believe is the right person to govern the nation. Voting means freedom, voting is the voice of society. 

 

As we prepare for elections in this country, we also celebrate the 100-year anniversary of passing the act that allowed women to vote. This act not only changed a women’s position in society and her rights to an education or equal pay, but also changed politics. Once women started voting, their voice was heard. This is part of a high and powerful democracy, that opens doors and gives freedom to every person in a nation. 

 

Now, women have the opportunity to choose and be chosen, meaning that women can also change this nation. In addition, women began to hold positions within politics.  In this election, there is the opportunity for a Black female to be vice president of the nation for the first time, showing that democracy and women’s rights has continued to develop over the past 100 years. Hopefully, the nation will continue to move in a forward direction, upholding the rights of all people. 

But not everyone had a voice. Women were not allowed to vote until a hundred years ago, where they too proved that they were citizens and deserved a say in the affairs of the United States. This was a huge victory and paved the way for other groups to make sure their voices were heard. And now, on the eve of yet another presidential election, America must make a choice once again. 

And no, it’s not a matter of whether America elects Donald Trump or Joe Biden. Gone are the days where Americans acted as one. We don’t help our fellow countrymen and few can entertain ideas without accepting them. Everywhere you look, people are divided along arbitrary lines and arguing that their way is the only correct way. A lot of these battle lines are drawn by artificial means—by news outlets, social media and vocal individuals. I suppose people feel a sense of community when allied with others who are just like them – it’s like they’ve never left their high school cliques. 

But they’re missing the point. Being an American citizen isn’t about proclaiming “it’s my way or the highway.” It isn’t about excluding someone based on a criteria you don’t like. And it certainly isn’t about turning a blind eye to what’s going on in your country. Our hard-fought freedoms are quickly slipping away. And I fear that when these people wake up, they will not recognize the country they see. Being an American citizen is believing everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property. It’s about fighting alongside people you don’t necessarily agree with in order to defend their freedom of expression (because it’s your freedom too). Above all, it’s every citizen standing united on the principle that made this country as wonderful and unique as it is. 

Liberty. 

And that’s what being an American citizen means to me.

My name is Marissa Milonas, and I am a student at Manchester Community College. For as long as I can remember, any information pertaining to the American government was honestly quite boring to me. It always just seemed like a topic that I was required to learn about for school. It was not until recently, when I was old enough to vote, that I started learning more about the government, and I became more interested in politics. Now I know the value of the information that I was taught when I was younger and how it pertains to life. 

 I think that voting is something that many people take for granted because today, probably because most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in elections. Voting was not always like this though; when the United States Constitution was originally written, it did not define who could or could not vote. Since the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this was a choice left for the states to decide. They decided that white men were eligible to vote, while white women and black people could not partake in elections. While sexism is still an issue in our country, America definitely took a step in the right direction 100 years ago when women finally got the right to vote and I will always use the vote that Suffragettes fought for during that time. 

Some people may think that voting seems insignificant, but I believe that voting is extremely important as it allows the voices of citizens to be heard. It is a great reminder that we live in a free, democratic country that is ruled by the people and for the people, rather than a tyrannical or dictatorial country where citizens have absolutely no say. Even though there are still inequalities like sexism, racism, and homophobia, at least all citizens have the equal power to vote and create change that can better our country. 

Carlos Carrasco, 

I found your views on this topic very fascinating. I especially enjoyed your statement “Though both genders may have differences, they have the same value as a human being.” I definitely agree that gender should not matter in how one is treated. It was really refreshing to hear a male reiterate the fact that women have dealt with inequality and prejudice in the past (and still deal with it to this day) and that it was not right, just simply how society was at that time. It is a nice reminder that it is not men versus women, instead just one big community trying to right the wrongs of our country’s past and eliminate some of the sexism that is still lingering in society today. When I vote I always think about the fact that if it were 100 years ago that would not be possible. I even encourage people, especially women, to vote to honor those who spoke up and fought for women to have a right to vote. 

I also like the fact that you mentioned that you hope the nation will continue to move in the right direction, implying that there is still work that needs to be done to eliminate sexism, and I completely agree. Just a few examples of some of the inequalities that women still face are: women are still being paid less wages than men for doing the same exact jobs, women pay more for the same everyday items because of the "pink tax", which is the name that refers to products for women that are in a "feminine" color, and they are often pricier than the men's equivalent product, and women have more pressure put on their appearances, which can have a negative effect on their mental health (especially young girls/teenagers). 

-Marissa Milonas- Manchester Community College 

On the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, what does voting (or citizenship) mean to you and to America? 

My name is Lauren Delude and I attend Manchester Community College. My major is in business studies and I hope to transfer to SNHU next fall. On August 18, 1920 they added the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution for women's right to vote. One of the biggest moments in this nation’s history is when women finally gained the right to vote in the United States.  Being a female myself I never would think of a time I wouldn’t be allowed to voice my opinion in an election, so this day does make an impact on me.  Before this men and women were not equal in many aspects and gaining this right was a big deal to everyone. 

continue to help this nation become better and prove that all people should be equal. Equality is so important and even today men and women are still not always treated the same. For example, a lot of men get higher wages than women even though they are preforming the same job and tasks on a regular basis.  This is unfair in my opinion. Although on the other hand during this election a black female ran with Joe Biden and is now the Vice President of the United States.  Having women be involved in politics is a huge step for women everywhere.  Females being able to vote has changed the world for the better and I am proud to be able to have a voice and an opinion that can actually make a difference in the world today. 

Hello, my name is Hannah Martinez and I go to Manchester Community College. Growing up no one around me had ever talked about voting or politics or even how to research every candidate properly. So, when I finally turned eighteen and I could vote, I was really confused and did not really understand anything, or even really appreciate the fact that I get to vote. Then all of a sudden everyone around me cares about politics and everyone is talking about voting, and I still did not really get it. Then I did a research paper on the 19^th amendment. This really helped me understand why being able to vote is so important and such a privilege, and especially as a woman, I understood why I should exercise that right that I have. I was able to see a bit into what very strong women in the past went through so that I would be able to have this opportunity. I am still learning a lot about everything that has to do with politics, but I now realize why my vote matters. Women gaining the right to vote was a major accomplishment for not only women, but this country as well. Although, if you go through a timeline/history of voting and how we got to where we are now, you would see how much growth has been done even going farther back than when women gained the right to vote. A lot of it is shocking, and race always played a big part in if people were allowed to vote or even become citizens of this country. Almost everyone at one point in time, especially people of color, would have been denied the right to vote, and just knowing that fact is enough to make me understand an realize that, even though this country and the people living in it still have a lot of growing to do, we have come a very long way. 

I wanted to link this timeline I saw: 

https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/us-elections-2016-who-can-vote/index.html 

Hello Marissa Milonas
 

I can identify and relate to the way that you used to think about politics/voting vote when you said, “any information pertaining to the American government was honestly quite boring to me.” This statement is very similar to the way that I used to think about this topic. Yet, as we grow and learn we begin to understand how important it is to have basic information on these important topics. I considered myself to not be too much of a political person, but I think it is important to stay informed. Everyone with the ability to vote must educate themselves and learn more about the candidates and what they stand for.
 
 

You also brought up an interesting point about the constitution and the rights for voting, “when the United States Constitution was originally written, it did not define who could or not vote.” Probably to be a woman or a black person during this era meant that you did not “count” as a person that could vote. However, nowadays, it seems that many people have forgotten the importance of voting. It is important to remember the struggle some people had to gain this right, and exercises our own right to vote this day in age. 

 
 I liked the way you said, “I believe that voting is extremely important.” Sometimes people go and vote just because they think it is an obligation. In fact, we must remember that one’s vote is one of the most important and basic rights a person can have. Voting means the power to choose or remove a President or any other politician, or approve or disapprove of a law, it is a beautiful expression of democracy. 

Thanks!!

Carlos
 

What does the 100th anniversary of women's gaining the right to vote and what does vote mean to me and to America. as someone who is a first-time voter as of the 2020 election this is a huge movement in America giving women the right to vote. when I got to vote on November 3rd, I was so excited to be the change in the world that we needed every vote count in that is truly surprising when you look at the numbers. When I was a junior in high school I participated in granite girl state which gave me a huge outlook on politics however not every woman is able to hear about these opportunities and I was really able to learn about politics that helped me vote leading up to it. my vote could change the future of my health care my safety of my body. However, it makes me wonder does my voice even matter as well as my vote because it all comes down to the electoral colleague however if it wasn't for that our society would fall apart. Although I'm not going to celebrate us having a woman vice president just yet because I want it to be fair and truthfully I think that a dynamic duo would be perfect in office and it's Candace Owens she's a strong female she wants what the people need especially young woman. We fought so hard to get women's right and it's crazy it's been only 100 years allowing women to voice their opinions. Abigail Manchester community college