Voting Rap With Grandpa

Some kids are closer to their grandfathers than their dads. Every family has a story. Whether you are close to your grandfather on not, it’s not too early to start talking to him about voting in the presidential election. He might be surprised because there’s a perception that young people don’t vote. They do, because climate change and the possibility of losing democracy, will affect them in future, when the old folks have passed on.

You’ll have to call him I guess because Americans are very fluid. They were born in the south, but now live in Chicago or Arizona. Why not? They have 50 states at their disposal.

Will your grandpa stand in line on 5 November like folks in Georgia or will he vote by mail? It’s an extraordinary election. In fact, it is the umbilical cord presidential election where voters like yourself and all grandfathers decide America’s fate. Your grandpa might be aware of that already. If not, you can remind him. You are asking him how he will vote because he might need physical assistance or voting information. Young people are computer miners. They know how to dig for information.

You can make this election special. Take a few days off from work or your Tik Tok business. Fly to where he will cast his vote. Rent a car and drive him and his friends to the voting station. He will love that, showing off his grandson. But then, grandfathers are not the same. Some look like GQ models, others like NBA coaches, construction workers, bus drivers, farmers, oil magnates, podcast hosts, Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

The operative word is voting. Both grandson and grandad.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

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