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Rap Group and Labor Union Link Up to Spark a Youth Vote Movement

Posted by Isaac Fitzgerald, AlterNet at 6:01 PM on October 20, 2008.


Atmosphere and SEIU are encouraging young people to "be the difference" on November 4th.
atmosphere1
Slug, of Atmosphere. (For the record, this photo has nothing to do with the "Be the Difference" campaign, I just thought it was fitting.)

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Rap artist Slug and band mate Ant (Sean Daley and Anthony Davis respectively) have linked up with an unusual collaborator, and it isn't a fellow member of the alt-hip-hop scene. No, the two men, together known as the Minneapolis based group Atmosphere, are working with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in hopes of helping spark a youth vote movement. With their "Be the Difference" campaign, the union and rap group hope to encourage thousands of young people to both register to vote and then actually vote on November 4th ... and they aren't being shy about who they would prefer these thousands of youth to vote for.

Says Slug, "I'm going to tell people to vote for Obama. I'm going to wear his shirt. I'm gonna, you know, put the button on my backpack."

And so far the movement seems to be working. As one University of Wisconsin student says, "I think the youth vote is huge. McCain better watch out if we show up."

But that is the question: will the youth come out and vote on election day? With Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' "Vote or Die" debacle in 2004 still fresh in many people's minds, it will be interesting to see if Atmosphere's team-up with SEIU will pay off -- if young adults will rise to the occasion, get to the polls, and actually "Be the Difference."

AlterNet is a nonprofit organization and does not make political endorsements. The opinions expressed by its writers are their own.

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Tagged as: seiu, atmosphere


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"X"ers Help the "Me" Generation Help YOU!
Posted by: Purple Girl on Oct 21, 2008 6:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not a Boomer- regardless of what some dumbass Sociologist claims.
I am the 'Me'Generation..At one time considered the most Self serving- but history and current Trends prove that to be False.
Who Will help clean up this economic, Social and Constitutional Mess caused by the Boomers and their mentors, before the next group is handed the Torch of Stewardship..."Me".
My generation is about 2 decades from eligiblity of 'Retirement ' Status....We have some money put away, but am watching it evaporate every day in the Stock market meltdown. But we knew this long before the actual collapse. My Retirement dream has now become part of my eulogy 'Finally Bought the Farm'.
But I realize such sacrifics have been part o fWhat has made Our Country Great, I will do as those before me have done (except the Boomers)..I will help carry the Load,Work to undo the Damage that has been done.
I am regretful the 'Me' Generation was complacent for so Long, Gullible to the BS the Boomers were Spewing.Ignorant to the Fact they were the First generation to reject the American Pledge and Goal to assure the next generation does better than Themselves.
Of Course the Boomers have lowered the bar so far, How could they not at least do better than the Boomers Younger Cousins?
It appears the 'Greatest Generation' gave Birth to the 'Greediest Generation'.
And Who is Able and Still Committed to helping future generation like the 'X'ers....ME!Those of US who bridged the Gap between The Beatles and Nirvana.those Of US who cut our teen age teeth on Ms Magazine and Green Peace.Those of US who became Politically conscious from film footage of the riots to Woodstock.Those Of US who heeded Pres Carters Call to Conserve energy- by investing in a Sweater.
Those of US who were born during a decade of assasinations and social upheaval- they shaped our perspective and created What dreams are made of....those Of US who can still 'Imagine'.
I assure You my 'X'er daughter and neices/nephews, the 'Boomers' are Not an insurmountable demographic to Defeat,but we will need all able bodied hands on Deck to do so.It will take a concerted effort to rip the reins of Power out of their greedy lil' hands once & for all!

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