Donna Brazile: Young Voters, Black and Latina Women Can 'Shape the Future'

Democratic strategist and CNN commentator Donna Brazile has a message for black and Latina women and young voters about Election Day:

"Ignore what the pundits tell you: The outcome of this election is up to us. We have the power to shape the future. You have the power to help President Obama by delivering change that matters. So please, get involved – volunteer and vote."

Related Articles

Brazile, the first black woman to manage a U.S. presidential campaign, made an emotional appeal to both groups of voters this weekend.

Black and Latina female voters, she said, can have an especially strong impact in several close races.

"If African Americans and Hispanic women go to the polls to help Democratic candidates, we CAN win even in the difficult states. With a strong African American and Latino turnout, we can elect a senator, re-elect a governor, elect an attorney general and elect statewide candidates in Georgia, Oregon, in my home state of Louisiana and in cities across the nation.

"We're counting on African American and Hispanic voters of all ages and genders. I want to take a moment to address, in particular, the black women and young people reading this blog. We're counting on you! Your votes could make all the difference in cities like Louisville, Tallahassee, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Chicago and Houston just to name a few.

Brazile told young voters that an older generation has passed the baton to them:

"Because while the times are still a'changing, it's a different change altogether this time. Our promised land has become your wilderness. It's your journey now, out of that wilderness and to your own promised land. We didn't know it back then, but you are the hope "we were looking forward to" and "you are the hope of our most treasured future. The next step -- the next vote -- has to be yours."

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's midterm elections, Brazile's encouragement to young voters and women voters of color is important.

Young voters need to learn that things just don't change with one vote. Because young people galvanized and voted for Barack Obama in 2008 didn't mean that everything would change for the better immediately in this country. It doesn't mean that there won't be a struggle for change going forward.

It also doesn't mean we should drop out of the political process, because we don't like whatever party is in office. Politics in America has become destructive. It's all or nothing with no room for compromise. People forget that we, as Americans, have common interests that should be addressed whether a Democrat or Republican is in office.

The message to black and Latina voters is also about not giving up your power. Even if Republicans take control of the House and Senate, there are still dozens of local races that affect families across the country. Local officials help set the policies in those states, so if you are concerned about education, the cost of childcare, the cost of gas to get your child to school or even the cost of milk to feed your child, you should be out exercising your right to vote.

Brazile writes:

It's important for us to realize the necessity of good voter-protection efforts around the country. Be ready for anything and be persistent knowing that nothing is going to stop you from voting. Don't be confused by deceptive messages, negative ads or pundits telling you it's all over.