[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why bother?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.60,0:00:05.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game is rigged.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.24,0:00:07.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My vote won't count.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.72,0:00:09.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The choices are terrible.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.84,0:00:12.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Voting is for suckers.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.28,0:00:15.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps you've thought\Nsome of these things.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.44,0:00:16.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps you've even said them.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.52,0:00:20.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if so, you wouldn't be alone,\Nand you wouldn't be entirely wrong.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.88,0:00:26.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game of public policy today\Nis rigged in many ways.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.08,0:00:30.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How else would more than half\Nof federal tax breaks
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.08,0:00:32.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,flow up to the wealthiest\Nfive percent of Americans?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.36,0:00:35.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And our choices indeed are often terrible.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.36,0:00:38.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For many people\Nacross the political spectrum,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.56,0:00:41.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Exhibit A is the 2016\Npresidential election.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.76,0:00:45.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in any year, you can look\Nup and down the ballot
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.32,0:00:48.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and find plenty to be uninspired about.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.56,0:00:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in spite of all this,\NI still believe voting matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.00,0:00:54.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And crazy as it may sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.92,0:00:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believe we can revive the joy of voting.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.96,0:01:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Today, I want to talk\Nabout how we can do that, and why.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.68,0:01:06.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There used to be a time\Nin American history when voting was fun,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.28,0:01:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when it was much more than just\Na grim duty to show up at the polls.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.08,0:01:12.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That time is called\N"most of American history."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.52,0:01:13.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.96,0:01:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From the Revolution\Nto the Civil Rights Era,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.96,0:01:18.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the United States had a vibrant,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.56,0:01:22.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,robustly participatory\Nand raucous culture of voting.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.48,0:01:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was street theater, open-air debates,\Nfasting and feasting and toasting,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.64,0:01:29.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,parades and bonfires.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.72,0:01:33.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During the 19th century,\Nimmigrants and urban political machines
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.28,0:01:35.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,helped fuel this culture of voting.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.60,0:01:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That culture grew with each\Nsuccessive wave of new voters.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.04,0:01:43.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During Reconstruction,\Nwhen new African-American voters,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.00,0:01:45.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,new African-American citizens,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.56,0:01:48.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,began to exercise their power,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.60,0:01:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they celebrated in jubilee parades
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.84,0:01:54.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that connected emancipation\Nwith their newfound right to vote.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.92,0:01:56.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few decades later, the suffragettes
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.68,0:02:00.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,brought a spirit\Nof theatricality to their fight,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.80,0:02:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,marching together in white dresses\Nas they claimed the franchise.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.68,0:02:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the Civil Rights Movement,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.24,0:02:09.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which sought to redeem\Nthe promise of equal citizenship
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.04,0:02:11.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that had been betrayed by Jim Crow,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.80,0:02:13.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,put voting right at the center.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.16,0:02:16.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From Freedom Summer to the march in Selma,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.76,0:02:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that generation of activists\Nknew that voting matters,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.00,0:02:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they knew that spectacle\Nand the performance of power
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.12,0:02:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is key to actually claiming power.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.56,0:02:30.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's been over a half century\Nsince Selma and the Voting Rights Act,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.88,0:02:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in the decades since,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.88,0:02:35.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this face-to-face culture of voting
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.20,0:02:37.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has just about disappeared.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.20,0:02:39.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's been killed by television
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.16,0:02:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then the internet.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.72,0:02:43.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The couch has replaced the commons.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.04,0:02:46.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Screens have made\Ncitizens into spectators.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.04,0:02:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while it's nice to share\Npolitical memes on social media,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.36,0:02:51.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's a rather quiet kind of citizenship.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.56,0:02:56.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's what the sociologist Sherry Turkle\Ncalls "being alone together."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.36,0:02:58.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we need today
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.84,0:03:02.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is an electoral culture\Nthat is about being together together,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.72,0:03:03.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in person,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.96,0:03:06.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in loud and passionate ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.20,0:03:10.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that instead of being\N"eat your vegetables" or "do you duty,"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.48,0:03:13.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,voting can feel more like "join the club"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.48,0:03:15.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or, better yet, "join the party."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.16,0:03:19.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine if we had,\Nacross the country right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.72,0:03:22.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in local places but nationwide,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.68,0:03:26.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a concerted effort\Nto revive a face-to-face set of ways
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.36,0:03:27.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to engage and electioneer:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.60,0:03:32.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,outdoor shows in which candidates\Nand their causes are mocked
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.48,0:03:35.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and praised in broad satirical style;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.20,0:03:37.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,soapbox speeches by citizens;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.84,0:03:40.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,public debates held inside pubs;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.92,0:03:46.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,streets filled with political art\Nand handmade posters and murals;
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.68,0:03:51.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,battle of the band concerts in which\Ncompeting performers rep their candidates.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.36,0:03:56.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, all of this may sound\Na little bit 18th century to you,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.44,0:03:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but in fact, it doesn't have to be\Nany more 18th century
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.80,0:04:03.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than, say, Broadway's "Hamilton,"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.04,0:04:05.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is to say vibrantly contemporary.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.64,0:04:07.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the fact is that all around the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.66,0:04:11.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,today, millions of people\Nare voting like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.28,0:04:15.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In India, elections are colorful,\Ncommunal affairs.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.56,0:04:20.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Brazil, election day\Nis a festive, carnival-type atmosphere.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.96,0:04:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Taiwan and Hong Kong,\Nthere is a spectacle,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.48,0:04:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,eye-popping, eye-grabbing spectacle
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.76,0:04:28.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the street theater of elections.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.72,0:04:32.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might ask, well,\Nhere in America, who has time for this?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.48,0:04:33.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I would tell you
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.76,0:04:36.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the average American\Nwatches five hours of television a day.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.24,0:04:40.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might ask, who has the motivation?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.56,0:04:41.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'll tell you,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.80,0:04:45.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any citizen who wants to be seen and heard
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.96,0:04:48.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not as a prop, not as a talking point,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.28,0:04:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but as a participant, as a creator.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.72,0:04:54.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, how do we make this happen?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.80,0:04:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Simply by making it happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.92,0:04:58.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why a group of colleagues and I
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.80,0:05:01.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,launched a new project\Ncalled "The Joy of Voting."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.88,0:05:05.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In four cities across the United States --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.36,0:05:07.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Philadelphia, Miami,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.04,0:05:09.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Akron, Ohio, and Wichita, Kansas --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.52,0:05:12.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we've gathered together\Nartists and activists,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.48,0:05:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,educators, political folks,\Nneighbors, everyday citizens
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.24,0:05:17.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to come together and create projects
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.00,0:05:21.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that can foster this culture\Nof voting in a local way.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.24,0:05:25.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Miami, that means\Nall-night parties with hot DJs
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.32,0:05:28.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the only way to get in\Nis to show that you're registered to vote.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.16,0:05:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Akron, it means political plays
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.20,0:05:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being performed\Nin the bed of a flatbed truck
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.76,0:05:36.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that moves from neighborhood\Nto neighborhood.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.96,0:05:39.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Philadelphia,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.20,0:05:43.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's a voting-themed scavenger hunt\Nall throughout colonial old town.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.16,0:05:48.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in Wichita, it's making\Nmixtapes and live graffiti art
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.20,0:05:50.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the North End to get out the vote.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.76,0:05:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are 20 of these projects,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.28,0:05:55.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they are remarkable\Nin their beauty and their diversity,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.16,0:05:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they are changing people.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.76,0:05:58.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me tell you about a couple of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.84,0:06:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Miami, we've commissioned and artist,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.84,0:06:02.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a young artist named Atomico,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.88,0:06:07.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create some vivid and vibrant images\Nfor a new series of "I voted" stickers.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.88,0:06:10.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the thing is, Atomico had never voted.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.08,0:06:12.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He wasn't even registered.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.80,0:06:17.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as he got to work on creating\Nthis artwork for these stickers,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.32,0:06:21.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he also began to get over\Nhis sense of intimidation about politics.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.48,0:06:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He got himself registered,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.12,0:06:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then he got educated\Nabout the upcoming primary election,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.44,0:06:29.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and on election day he was out there\Nnot just passing out stickers,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.76,0:06:32.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but chatting up voters\Nand encouraging people to vote,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.36,0:06:34.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and talking about\Nthe election with passersby.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.72,0:06:39.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Akron, a theater company\Ncalled the Wandering Aesthetics
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.52,0:06:42.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has been putting on\Nthese pickup truck plays.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.32,0:06:45.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to do so, they put out\Nan open call to the public
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.12,0:06:48.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,asking for speeches,\Nmonologues, dialogues, poems,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.64,0:06:50.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,snippets of anything\Nthat could be read aloud
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.00,0:06:52.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and woven into a performance.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.28,0:06:55.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They got dozens of submissions.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.72,0:06:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of them was a poem
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.64,0:07:00.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,written by nine students in an ESL class,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.80,0:07:02.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all of them Hispanic migrant workers
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.96,0:07:05.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from nearby Hartville, Ohio.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.88,0:07:08.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to read to you from this poem.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.20,0:07:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's called "The Joy of Voting."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.60,0:07:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I would like to vote for the first time
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.04,0:07:17.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because things are changing for Hispanics.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.00,0:07:20.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I used to be afraid of ghosts.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.16,0:07:21.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I am afraid of people.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.48,0:07:24.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's more violence and racism.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.96,0:07:26.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Voting can change this.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.84,0:07:29.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The border wall is nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.80,0:07:31.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's just a wall.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.04,0:07:34.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The wall of shame is something.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.80,0:07:37.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very important to vote
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.72,0:07:40.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so we can break down this wall of shame.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.32,0:07:42.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have passion in my heart.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.48,0:07:45.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Voting gives me a voice and power.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.40,0:07:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can stand up and do something."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.96,0:07:53.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Joy of Voting" project\Nisn't just about joy.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.92,0:07:55.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about this passion.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.48,0:07:57.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about feeling and belief,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.84,0:08:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it isn't just our organization's work.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.56,0:08:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All across this country right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.52,0:08:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,immigrants, young people, veterans,\Npeople of all different backgrounds
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.92,0:08:09.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are coming together to create\Nthis kind of passionate, joyful activity
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.44,0:08:10.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,around elections,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.88,0:08:13.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in red and blue states,\Nin urban and rural communities,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.84,0:08:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people of every political background.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.96,0:08:18.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What they have in common is simply this:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.68,0:08:21.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,their work is rooted in place.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.32,0:08:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because remember,\Nall citizenship is local.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.72,0:08:29.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When politics becomes\Njust a presidential election,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.28,0:08:32.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we yell and we scream at our screens,\Nand then we collapse, exhausted.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.68,0:08:37.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when politics is about us
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.32,0:08:40.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our neighbors\Nand other people in our community
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.12,0:08:44.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,coming together to create experiences\Nof collective voice and imagination,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.44,0:08:47.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then we begin to remember\Nthat this stuff matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.56,0:08:52.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We begin to remember\Nthat this is the stuff of self-government.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.24,0:08:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which brings me back to where I began.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.88,0:08:57.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why bother?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.64,0:08:59.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's one way to answer this question.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.44,0:09:04.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Voting matters because it is\Na self-fulfilling act of belief.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.44,0:09:09.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It feeds the spirit of mutual interest\Nthat makes any society thrive.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.96,0:09:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we vote, even if it is in anger,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.64,0:09:16.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are part of a collective,\Ncreative leap of faith.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.84,0:09:21.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Voting helps us generate\Nthe very power that we wish we had.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.24,0:09:25.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's no accident\Nthat democracy and theater
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.08,0:09:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,emerged around the same time\Nin ancient Athens.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.20,0:09:32.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both of them yank the individual\Nout of the enclosure of her private self.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.44,0:09:37.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both of them create great\Npublic experiences of shared ritual.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.20,0:09:40.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both of them bring the imagination to life
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.76,0:09:44.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in ways that remind us\Nthat all of our bonds in the end
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.08,0:09:46.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are imagined, and can be reimagined.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.76,0:09:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This moment right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.80,0:09:56.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we think about\Nthe meaning of imagination,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.24,0:09:59.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is so fundamentally important,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.48,0:10:03.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our ability to take that spirit
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.68,0:10:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to take that sense
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.28,0:10:07.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that there is something greater out there,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.36,0:10:11.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is not just a matter\Nof technical expertise.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.16,0:10:14.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not just a matter of making the time\Nor having the know-how.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.24,0:10:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is a matter of spirit.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.72,0:10:19.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But let me give you an answer\Nto this question, "Why bother?"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.68,0:10:23.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is maybe a little less spiritual\Nand a bit more pointed.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.44,0:10:26.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why bother voting?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.24,0:10:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because there is\Nno such thing as not voting.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.16,0:10:30.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not voting is voting,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.00,0:10:33.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for everything that you\Nmay detest and oppose.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.92,0:10:35.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not voting can be dressed up
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.68,0:10:38.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as an act of principled,\Npassive resistance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.72,0:10:40.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but in fact not voting
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.68,0:10:42.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is actively handing power over
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.92,0:10:45.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to those whose interests\Nare counter to your own,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.28,0:10:48.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those who would be very glad\Nto take advantage of your absence.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.84,0:10:51.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not voting is for suckers.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.80,0:10:54.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine where this country would be
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.52,0:10:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if all the folks who in 2010\Ncreated the Tea Party
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.64,0:11:00.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had decided that,\Nyou know, politics is too messy,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.60,0:11:01.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,voting is too complicated.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.88,0:11:04.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no possibility\Nof our votes adding up to anything.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.32,0:11:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They didn't preemptively\Nsilence themselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.64,0:11:09.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They showed up,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.44,0:11:12.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in the course of showing up,\Nthey changed American politics.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.48,0:11:18.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine if all of the followers\Nof Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.28,0:11:21.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had decided not to upend\Nthe political status quo
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.00,0:11:25.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and blow apart the frame\Nof the previously possible
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.08,0:11:26.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in American politics.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.72,0:11:28.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They did that by voting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.16,0:11:33.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We live in a time right now,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.40,0:11:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,divided, often very dark,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.96,0:11:39.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where across the left and the right,\Nthere's a lot of talk of revolution
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.60,0:11:42.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the need for revolution\Nto disrupt everyday democracy.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.12,0:11:44.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, here's the thing:
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.76,0:11:47.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everyday democracy already\Ngives us a playbook for revolution.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.76,0:11:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the 2012 presidential election,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.84,0:11:52.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,young voters, Latino voters,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.60,0:11:54.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Asian-American voters, low-income voters,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.88,0:11:57.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all showed up at less than 50 percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.20,0:12:03.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the 2014 midterm elections,\Nturnout was 36 percent,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.28,0:12:04.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which was a 70-year low.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.92,0:12:07.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in your average local election,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.84,0:12:10.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,turnout hovers\Nsomewhere around 20 percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.32,0:12:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I invite you to imagine 100 percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.64,0:12:17.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Picture 100 percent.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.08,0:12:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mobilize 100 percent,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.24,0:12:22.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and overnight, we get revolution.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.04,0:12:27.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Overnight, the policy priorities\Nof this country change dramatically,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.08,0:12:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and every level of government\Nbecomes radically more responsive
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.64,0:12:31.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to all the people.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.24,0:12:35.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What would it take\Nto mobilize 100 percent?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.48,0:12:39.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, we do have to push back\Nagainst efforts afoot
Dialogue: 0,0:12:39.04,0:12:40.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all across the country right now
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.80,0:12:42.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make voting harder.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.48,0:12:43.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at the same time,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.00,0:12:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have to actively create\Na positive culture of voting
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.16,0:12:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that people want to belong to,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.80,0:12:51.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be part of, and experience together.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.36,0:12:52.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have to make purpose.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.00,0:12:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have to make joy.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.16,0:12:57.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So yes, let's have that revolution,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.84,0:13:00.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a revolution of spirit, of ideas,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.36,0:13:02.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of policy and participation,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.40,0:13:04.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a revolution against cynicism,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.56,0:13:08.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a revolution against the self-fulfilling\Nsense of powerlessness.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.52,0:13:11.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's vote this revolution into existence,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.88,0:13:13.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and while we're at it,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.24,0:13:14.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's have some fun.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.80,0:13:16.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you very much.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.04,0:13:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)