To Vote or Not to Vote,
That is the Question. Isn’t it?

Yesterday I went to one of my favorite stores, a small Middle Eastern grocery store on the south side, for some fresh homemade pita bread. The pita bread is made fresh daily at the store and is delicious.

The store is run by a couple of Palestinian brothers who employ family and friends. Due to having its own meat market, bakery and all the ingredients need for Middle Eastern or Indian cooking has become popular. The brothers greet me as “my friend” and are willing to share Middle Eastern food tips.

When I was checking out yesterday one of the brothers behind the counter asked me a friendly tone where was my sticker on my coat saying: “I voted.” I looked at him seriously and said: “Where is yours?” He said it was on his coat. Then I smiled and said I did not vote in solidarity with the children of Palestine. After a few more words he got what I was talking about and said how he felt similar.

Like many I got caught up in the hype of the election and played the electoral games. But I knew, as my friend knew, if I voted or not voted it did not make much of a difference.

On TV tonight there was a woman who had survived the hurricane Sandy in her fourth generation home and now was preparing for the Northeaster and cold and snow. She had no heat and electricity. She was just trying to survive. She made a comment that she went to bed Tuesday night not knowing who won the election and work up this way still not know and then she added “I really do not care.”

When you are a poor family in Pakistan with a killer drone sitting over your village you really do not care who won an election. When you are a family in Haiti in refugee camp with no clear water and food survival becomes you prime directive and voting means nothing.

When you are in solidarity with the poor, distressed, marginalized, people suffering and dying, to vote or not to vote really is not the question.

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