Episode 34: Empowered Voices: Women, Rights, and the 2024 Election

[00:00:09] Talk To Me Michele.

[00:00:54] It's a constant stream of election ads.

[00:00:57] The flood of campaign text messages.

[00:01:01] And every time I'm driving, it's like neighborhoods full of yard signs of the candidates of their choice.

[00:01:10] Some even got banners.

[00:01:11] I even saw a banner hanging on a person's house with a candidate on it that was made up like Rambo.

[00:01:20] It's crazy for me.

[00:01:21] So while I'm no stranger to political commentary because my sister and I once did a segment for the J. Anthony Brown show on politics,

[00:01:29] and that segment was three minutes.

[00:01:31] And I've come to realize that that's about the limit I like to give politics in reality.

[00:01:36] So for this episode, I'm going to keep things concise.

[00:01:40] Just the key highlights on what this year's election means to me.

[00:01:45] My own perspective.

[00:01:48] And let me go ahead and give my disclaimer up front because these are my personal views.

[00:01:53] I have no shame in supporting the candidate of my choice, and I'm sure some of you may feel differently.

[00:01:59] I ask that you don't take my opinions personally if they differ from yours.

[00:02:05] America lets us think that we have a voice in how this country is run through elections.

[00:02:09] But over the years, I've noticed it's also become a tool of division among us.

[00:02:18] When it comes to this year's election, the key candidates are grabbing the most attention.

[00:02:22] We have Madam VP Harris and former president Donald Trump.

[00:02:27] Now, the current vice president represents the Democratic ticket, and it seems like a symbol of progress,

[00:02:33] especially for women and minorities.

[00:02:35] And she's also known for her work on issues like health care, climate change, and social justice.

[00:02:41] And her candidacy is more important for those who want to continue down that path of leadership.

[00:02:47] Now, on the other side, you've got Donald Trump, a polarizing figure who has a strong base of support on the Republican side.

[00:02:54] Trump's platform focuses on issues like immigration, national security, and economical growth.

[00:03:01] He is well known for his bold, often controversial approach to politics,

[00:03:06] and his influence on the Republican Party has continued to shape the political landscape.

[00:03:11] These two candidates represent a very different vision of America's future,

[00:03:15] which is why this election is drawing so much intense focus.

[00:03:23] One thing I've noticed over the years, that at least 20 years ago election coverage was much simpler,

[00:03:29] at least from my perspective as a child.

[00:03:31] You know, the only time I remember hearing about politics was when somebody actually won.

[00:03:35] I don't recall back-to-back ads on TV or constant campaign outreach through text messages,

[00:03:41] because of course that wasn't during my time.

[00:03:43] Maybe I was too young or just didn't care as much.

[00:03:46] But it felt like the political noise was far less intense than it is right now.

[00:03:50] I just don't recall it being this intense.

[00:03:53] And traditional media has always been the main source of election information.

[00:03:57] And it still plays a significant role in shaping how people vote.

[00:04:01] But over time, media coverage has shifted.

[00:04:04] Back then, news outlets played the middle man.

[00:04:08] They didn't play the influencer.

[00:04:10] They were the middle man.

[00:04:11] Simply covering the election process.

[00:04:14] But now traditional media seems to be more focused on shock value and clickbait.

[00:04:20] Candidates are often caught making derogatory remarks about each other on specific groups of Americans even.

[00:04:26] And it sets an immature tone.

[00:04:28] It's just like watching the play yard bully have his victim of the day.

[00:04:33] And have you ever noticed how much attention a candidate draws when they make outlandish statements or spread false information?

[00:04:41] Instead of informing us, the media seems to be entertaining us.

[00:04:46] And we're losing sight of the key issues.

[00:04:48] And that is a major distraction in this election.

[00:04:51] But as an American, it's even sadder when you hear about how America is funding incentives abroad.

[00:04:57] While at home, we're facing growing crime, homeless situation, and our underfunded education system.

[00:05:04] We wonder why.

[00:05:05] But the answer is right in front of us.

[00:05:07] We're not paying attention to what really matters because the media has turned elections into a circus.

[00:05:16] Social media has only amplified this because now we're seeing endless ads, live streamed events,

[00:05:22] people arguing over candidates and political parties.

[00:05:30] And I'm just like, I don't understand if you object with my views.

[00:05:42] Why are you over here?

[00:05:43] We are not having these meaningful conversations about solutions.

[00:05:46] We're so stuck in echo chambers and distracted by all this nonsense rather than focus on what really is affecting our lives.

[00:05:58] Voter engagement has truly evolved because over the years, the trends were going by today.

[00:06:03] 20 years ago, the voter turnout was way lower because younger voters and minority groups didn't participate as much.

[00:06:10] Politics didn't resonate as strongly with these groups and efforts to engage them were bare minimum.

[00:06:16] And however, recent elections have seen a surge in engagement, particularly among young voters and minorities.

[00:06:23] Social issues like racial justice, climate change, and economical inequality have become a rallying point that inspire younger generations to vote.

[00:06:32] And additionally targeted outreach, social media campaigns, grassroots movements have amplified the voices of minorities,

[00:06:39] leading to higher turnout and more political involvement.

[00:06:43] And these groups are now seen as a key to winning elections.

[00:06:47] That's why you see certain trends with political campaigns.

[00:06:51] What's going to reach the younger market?

[00:06:53] What's going to reach the minority market?

[00:06:56] These groups are now seen as keys to winning elections because their increased participation reflects more diverse and engaged content.

[00:07:04] You see the way that political campaigns are now.

[00:07:07] They are getting more geared to younger voters.

[00:07:11] Campaign strategies have drastically changed from traditional methods like rallies and TV ads.

[00:07:16] Today, we have more online approaches.

[00:07:19] In the past, political campaigns relied heavily on physical rallies, door-to-door campaigning, a broad TV or radio ad to reach voters.

[00:07:30] The tactics were there, and they were designed to cast a wide net, but it didn't have the precision in targeting specific groups.

[00:07:38] So today, we have campaigns that use advanced data analysis also to create highly targeted ads that speak directly to specific demographics.

[00:07:47] Now, social media platforms, they allow micro-targeting.

[00:07:51] These are ads that are tailored to individuals based on their online activity, interest, and location.

[00:07:58] And online campaigning includes viral content, the live streams, the email.

[00:08:03] And if I get one more damn text message from one of these campaigns, I'm glad I got a spam filter.

[00:08:10] You know how you go to Google, you look up something, soon as you hit your social media feed, it's in your feed.

[00:08:16] That's what they're doing when it comes to campaigning.

[00:08:18] And the shift has made campaigns more efficient, a little bit more strategic, but also more invasive.

[00:08:24] And it's personalized.

[00:08:29] When it comes to election security, there is a new step up because now there's concerns about voter fraud in the past to current elections and focusing on cybersecurity and election integrity.

[00:08:43] In earlier elections, most of the debate centered around in-person voter fraud.

[00:08:48] You know, when people would show up multiple times or they would have, you know, all these additional false identities.

[00:08:54] That was very bare minimum.

[00:08:56] But now with the rise of digital voting systems, online databases, the primary concern has shifted from cybersecurity threats.

[00:09:06] You know, there are hacking issues, interference by foreign actors, and the integrity of voting technology have become a major point and a major focus when it comes to elections.

[00:09:18] And ensuring secure online systems, we don't have any type of protection when it comes to our data.

[00:09:24] We don't.

[00:09:25] And maintaining public trust in the election process are the current priorities.

[00:09:30] So the shift reflects how technology has changed, the vulnerabilities, the safeguards that are needed to protect democracy.

[00:09:41] So why is this election so important?

[00:09:44] I will tell you because it's crucial for Americans because it directly impacts the future of key issues such as health care, the economy, climate change, and social justice.

[00:09:55] Voter turnout can shape policies that affect daily lives, from our job security to the inflation, our education, civil rights.

[00:10:04] And the election will determine leadership that's going to lead in that direction, influence the balance of power in government, and impact judicial appointments that uphold or challenge rights.

[00:10:15] Ultimately, ultimately, the outcome will influence the nation's values, the priorities, making it a very big part of shaping America's future.

[00:10:25] Now, we've heard so much on our democracy.

[00:10:28] It's under attack.

[00:10:30] Are we still in a point of our country?

[00:10:32] Do we have democracy still?

[00:10:34] So that's a big impact of this current election.

[00:10:37] The stakes are high on this one.

[00:10:39] And the key issues such as voting rights, health care, climate policy, you name it.

[00:10:46] Americans' government, you know, their spending is like giving a spoiled child an American Express, and every month the balance gets bigger.

[00:10:55] That's what the American government does with the money.

[00:10:57] But these factors are creating economical uncertainty, and how candidates plan to address them will play a big role in voters' decisions.

[00:11:06] Climate change policies are critical focus because reflecting on the urgent need to address global environmental issues.

[00:11:15] This extreme weather we've been experiencing almost every other week there's a storm, there's a hurricane, there's a flood.

[00:11:20] And the events are more frequent, they're more severe, and the conversation around climate action is very intensified right now.

[00:11:28] People don't even have, we don't even have the funding no more.

[00:11:31] We about to tap out our emergency resources.

[00:11:34] Right now we need sustained action.

[00:11:37] It's necessary to migrate the worst effects of climate change.

[00:11:42] How is this election going to shape the climate policy?

[00:11:45] I mean, I've not really heard too much on that.

[00:11:48] I'm just giving you my personal notes.

[00:11:50] We got to look for our future as well as future generations and the planet's overall health.

[00:11:55] The future of health care and access to affordable medical services.

[00:12:00] Major concern in this election because these candidates are proposing various plans.

[00:12:06] Well, at least I heard one got a plan.

[00:12:07] But it's to tackle rising health care costs, expanding coverage, and improve access to quality medical services.

[00:12:15] Key issues include affordability, prescription drugs, the expansion of Medicaid, and the effort that strengthen Affordable Care Act, or AKA Obamacare.

[00:12:26] Many Americans go into debt just with high medical bills alone.

[00:12:30] The inadequate insurance, the highlighting the need for a more comprehensive reform.

[00:12:36] So, voter preferences in this election could lead to the significant changes in health care policy, influencing how services are delivered and who has access to them.

[00:12:47] The decisions made will now have lasting effects overall on all of our health care, well-being of population, and making health care a critical issue in shaping the future.

[00:12:57] Criminal justice reforms and growing concerns about public safety are very big issues in this election.

[00:13:03] In recent years, there has been increasingly an awareness of a systematic issue that we've got within the criminal justice system.

[00:13:12] It's like racial disparities, mass incarceration, the need for police reform.

[00:13:18] Many candidates are, you know, advocating for policies that are aimed at addressing these problems, including changes in sentencing laws, improved mental health support, and community-based policing incentives.

[00:13:31] At the same time, public safety concerns have surged, particularly in response to rising crime rates in certain areas, and voters are looking for solutions.

[00:13:40] We need a balance that's going to be effective law enforcement, and that's going to have a justice reform that actually works.

[00:13:48] How are candidates addressing these dual challenges?

[00:13:51] Their, you know, influence to public perception of safety and justice can sometimes be scary, because policies make the impact on communities, and that's across the country.

[00:14:02] And the outcome could lead a transformation of changes in the criminal justice system.

[00:14:10] Politics, they have increasingly created deep divisions in the country.

[00:14:14] This is affecting our relationships among family and friends.

[00:14:18] As political discourse has become more polarized, people ought to find themselves aligning with different ideas, different policies, leading to heated debates and conflicts.

[00:14:28] Social media amplifies these divisions by fostering echo chambers, where people are exposed to only views that reinforce their beliefs.

[00:14:36] In many households, we have talks that once were friendly, they were neutral at times.

[00:14:43] Sometimes we could have difference of opinion, but it wouldn't be a big blow-up with loved ones.

[00:14:47] Issues like race, immigration, the economy, they've become flashpoints, making it difficult for people to find common ground.

[00:14:55] With the whole environment now just in a tense state, it's impacting personal relationships, but it contributes to a broader sense of social discord.

[00:15:05] Navigating political conversation has become a more sensitive endeavor, with many choosing to avoid discussions altogether, just to preserve our relationships.

[00:15:15] And I have that approach, too.

[00:15:16] When I already know there's a family member or a friend, and we're not agreeing politically, we don't need to talk about it.

[00:15:23] I mentioned earlier how social media amplifies it along with echo chambers, but we also have other portions of it.

[00:15:30] You know, because cable news often prioritize being a sensational coverage that captures the audience's attention, leading to the exaggerated narratives that deepens divisions.

[00:15:40] I hate that when there's a news source that puts out something bogus or makes a statement a little bit more than what it was, and they get people hyped up.

[00:15:49] Social media also enables rapid information.

[00:15:53] Most of the time, it's misinformation.

[00:15:56] So that makes it easier to divide people with this content that keeps being put out on a daily basis, and they reach large audiences quickly.

[00:16:06] Now, misinformation includes the false narratives, the distrust in institutions, manipulation tactics.

[00:16:13] So this is why we have all this taking place on social media, and that's why we have a bigger division.

[00:16:22] This election is particularly important for women because key issues affecting our rights and well-being are at stake.

[00:16:29] One of the most significant concerns is reproductive rights.

[00:16:33] The government has this increase in influence over women's bodies.

[00:16:38] I just don't understand, but particularly around access to abortion and contraceptive care.

[00:16:44] This has raised some serious questions.

[00:16:46] Now, as women voters, this should be a primary concern because there are decisions that are being made on our behalf.

[00:16:53] This directly impacts our health care choices because health care access, you know, women often bear higher health care costs.

[00:17:01] And the future of affordable health care is a very critical factor.

[00:17:05] Also, we have wage disparities.

[00:17:07] They're still present in, you know, this society, making it essential to support policies that advocate for pay equality

[00:17:14] and ensuring that equal opportunities and protection against discrimination at work is crucial for women to thrive in our careers.

[00:17:23] So these are just a few key factors that make this election vital for women's rights and equality.

[00:17:28] Voting is a way to advocate for policies that protect and advance these important issues.

[00:17:37] In conclusion, this election holds immense significance for all of us as it addresses vital issues that will shape the future of our country.

[00:17:47] From health care, the economy, to climate action, social justice, the outcomes will have lasting impacts on American democracy and policy direction.

[00:17:57] Voter concerns about inflation, job stability, the national debt reflect the everyday realities that we may face,

[00:18:05] highlighting the need for candidates to present realistic solutions.

[00:18:09] And the urgency of climate change cannot be overlooked.

[00:18:13] Additionally, criminal justice reform remains the essential in fostering a balance between effective law enforcement and equal justice.

[00:18:21] Political polarization, fueled by social media and misinformation, it complicates our abilities to engage in meaningful conversations.

[00:18:30] We just get so mad.

[00:18:32] But it's crucial that we remain informed and open-minded.

[00:18:36] Now, for the women, this election brings critical issues to the forefront, including your reproductive rights,

[00:18:43] your health care access, equal pay, and workplace discrimination.

[00:18:47] These are key factors in pursuit of gender equality.

[00:18:53] So as we prepare ourselves to cast our votes, let's commit to understanding the candidates and the key issues at stake.

[00:19:01] Your voice matters and informed voting is essential for a brighter future.

[00:19:06] So I appreciate everybody tuning in to my perspective of this year's election,

[00:19:11] but I do want to encourage everybody to go out and cast your vote.

[00:19:14] Let your voice be heard.

[00:19:16] Do what you got to do.

[00:19:18] There was too many sacrifices made on our behalf for us not to go do what we need to do right now.

[00:19:24] Follow me on all social media at TalkToMeMichelle, and especially at the YouTube channel,

[00:19:29] and make sure you turn on those notifications.

[00:19:32] And if you got a little time in your day, I'd appreciate you giving me a review.

[00:19:35] A couple of staros.

[00:19:37] A little review would be nice.

[00:19:38] And if you want to support the content as well as purchase merchandise,

[00:19:42] head on over to buymeacoffee.com backslash TalkToMeMichelle.

[00:19:47] So go ahead, get on out and vote, and I will see you next episode.

[00:19:50] Peace.