schmiggens
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Registered: Apr 2003
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Hip-hop’s Black Eyed Peas calls upon youth in S. Florida to vote
Miami · Unable to stay away from national politics, the Black Eyed Peas, hip-hop messengers for the Democratic Party, flew back from their tour in Australia to remind students in South Florida on Friday to vote -- and vote early.
"We need a change, y'all," lead singer will.i.am told a few hundred students at the Miami Dade College's north campus. "Remember, your choice not only affects you, it affects the whole world."
The message resonated with Jessica Sanchidrian, 19, of Miami, an undecided voter leaning toward Sen. John Kerry who said she was upset about the war in Iraq.
"We have so many people dying there for no reason," she said. "My cousin George is over in Baghdad with the Army. I want him to come home."
As Sanchidrian swayed to the band's songs -- Let's Get It Started, Hey Mama and Where Is the Love? -- other students held Kerry-Edwards signs and will.i.am reminded them three buses were waiting to take them to vote at the North Miami Public Library.
Michael Rodarte, 20, of Miami, said he would get on the bus and vote for Kerry. He thought President Bush had not done enough to reduce the national debt or help low-income families like his own.
Rodarte stood in line with several students for free CDs and a chance to take pictures with the band's members -- will.i.am, apl de ap, Fergie and Taboo.
The noontime concert was the sixth one the band has given on behalf of the Democratic Party this year. The group also showed up at Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale, where they performed before a few hundred potential voters.
From a series of all-star concerts in electoral swing states to efforts by music mogul Russell Simmons and numerous hip-hop acts, entertainers ordinarily preoccupied with promoting their recordings have turned their attention to a potentially huge bloc of voters.
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe said one of his party's strategies to avoid a close election in Florida was "to take the party to the party."
Young people will be affected by unemployment, the soaring national debt and the possibility of a draft because the military has been overextended, McAuliffe said.
Political scientist David Niven, of Florida Atlantic University, said Democrats have an edge over Republicans in recruiting entertainers to appeal to youth.
"The Republicans' sales pitch is about toughness while the Democrats sales pitch is about compassion," Niven said. "There just aren't many entertainers that support the Republicans' ideas."
Niven said he doubts entertainers would sway many voters because most of them likely had already made up their minds. "Where entertainers are most effective is in gaining attention," he said. "There are a lot of folks who would otherwise not be aware they can vote before Nov. 2."
But will.i.am disagreed.
"If a person sees that he can relate to my lifestyle, music and viewpoints, he will listen to me," he said. "From the war to gay rights to women's choice, young people know what's right from wrong. Convincing them is a step-by-step process."
Niven said Republicans have motivated their base by mobilizing churches to remind their members to vote.
Republican Party leaders such as Ana Carbonell, director of Victory 2004 in Miami-Dade said GOP activists have driven voters to the polls daily since early voting began on Oct. 18. Gov. Jeb Bush and local officials also are taking to radio airwaves to remind supporters to vote early, she said.
Although the Democrats have an edge when it comes to support from entertainers, Republicans have not shied away from using celebrities to rally supporters. Country star Toby Keith is among those who favor President Bush. To help in South Florida, the president's daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush, will be in Miami on Monday, Carbonell said.
"The next two weeks are almost all about turnout," Niven said. "That means encouraging people to vote early and return their absentee ballots or cast a ballot on Election Day."
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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10-26-2004 03:50 AM
