A few weeks ago, I sat on a panel dealing with the hip hop community and the 2008 presidential election.  I sat next to artists, grassroots organizers and even a representative from the College Republicans advocating for McCain, and we had a vigorous discussion about politics, activism and the nature of change.  Noticeably absent: the campus’ pro-Obama group. Sure, there may have been a scheduling conflict or something of that nature, but the fact that a pro-Obama organization on a progressive college campus with thousands of supporters couldn’t send one representative to a panel discussion with active, engaged young people speaks volumes about the relationship of the Democratic party to the hip hop community. They take us for granted.  The Democrats, at least when it comes to presidential races, are simply assuming that we will support them and not bothering to really address the issues that we, as young people, as people of color, as people from working-class backgrounds, or as progressives, really care about. And when Democrats do reach out to the hip hop community, it’s often superficial.  Indeed, it’s easier to forge a relationship with an abstract entity or concept than actually support or advocate for policies that affect young people, people of color and working class people.  It’s easier to stage a photoshoot with Puffy than make commitments to, say, investigating police brutality in inner-city neighborhoods. Of course, we play right into this all too often.  How many songs, verses or punchlines name-drop Obama and get a huge crowd response?  How many hip hop celebrities have come together to praise the Democratic candidate and talk about how important it is to vote?  How many rappers and fans rock Obama shirts while not really taking part in any kind of real activism? Don’t get me wrong—it’s good to see celebrities talking about voting, and it’s good to see people taking an interest in politics, even if it’s somewhat shallow.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  The problem, however, is that we’ve set up the act of voting as an end in and of itself, and not a means to an end.  If we want sustainable, institutional change, it’s going to take a lot more work than pushing a button once every couple of years. And I’ll be honest—despite my distaste for the Democratic party, I’m going to vote for Obama and I think you should too (for a full explanation why, read my blog here).  The more important thing, however, is to have a real understanding of what that vote means: it’s not the most effective way to create change—just the easiest.  It’s not going to save our public schools, or smash the prison-industrial complex, or make college more affordable, or discontinue redlining practices, or change the unjust drug laws, or stop gentrification, or end military recruitment at high schools. It’s just going to make it a little bit easier for us to do all that stuff—as activists, as organizers and as advocates.   No matter who wins this presidential election, we need to be ready to pressure them.  We need to think beyond voting.  Whether we’re starting community organizations, organizing rallies and teach-ins, running for local offices ourselves, sitting in on city council meetings, raising money for activist organizations, writing articles and blogging, lobbying elected leaders, taking part in door-to-door canvassing campaigns or whatever, we need to be active, pushing Democrats and Republicans alike to truly advocate for us. Much has been written and said about the hip hop community’s potential as a real force for progressive change.  Unfortunately, most of that potential remains untapped.  Yeah we throw big events here and there and rap about how Bush is the devil, but when it comes to activism, our networks and talents and energy could go a lot further. So go out and vote, tell all your friends to vote and have a good time.  But also understand that once November 5 rolls around, our work isn’t done.  This is a time of crisis for this country, and it’s up to us, with or without Barack Obama in the Oval Office, to do something about it. Kyle “El Guante” Myhre is an emcee, poet, activist, writer and educator based in Minneapolis.  Contact him at www.myspace.com/elguante, http://www.elguante.net/ and http://elguante.blogspot.com/.  Thanks to B-Fresh for her thoughts and input on this issue. # # # by Kyle "El Guante" Myhre