Chhhhiiilllleeee, it is election year in these here beautiful islands of Fiji.

There’s so much that could be, should be or would be shared about this topic but I’m just here to share a piece of my own thoughts.

So a little history, your girl ran for national elections 4 years ago and the lessons, girrrrrl, there are lessons. Grateful would be understatement, at 26 I did something I never thought was possible. But God.

I saw possibility in a world that was deemed a loss cause, I saw hope in a way that was always illustrated to me as faithless, I saw courage in a nation that was said to be in fear.

So this year I write this to share a reminder. It’s been said that nearly 70% of this country is made up of voters 30 years young and below. If you’re reading this or know someone who needs to read this because you’re finally 18 years old and this will be your first time, sis! Vote.

No, seriously, you might think that what happens in the political arena has nothing to do with you, but trust me, it does. And you have the power to influence it.

In 1969 an essay quoted the infamous phrase, “the personal is political”.

Your and my personal affairs are very much affected by what takes places when political leaders make policies, vote on them, and will them to law.

Girl, it could be as simple as the price we pay for bread and butter for our morning tea to the intricacies of regional and international relations between Fiji and other nations.

Your voice matters. This here in particular where social media meets our history, our culture and our own personal biases, your voice matters.

In the midst of all the noise, your voice matters. In a world where context can be manipulated, truncated, or completely isolated, your voice matters.

In a culture where “tabu” and “no” are more common than “let’s talk about it” or “okay, I hear your view, but…”, your voice matters.

In a generation where 60s is a lifetime and viral is more about videos and pictures as opposed to a health concern, your voice matters.

Ask questions, have conversations offline, read policies and updates for your chosen affiliations, listen to understand not just to respond and remember, your vote matters.

In all of it, still you are purposed and you are protected.

-A