Q Reader Response Discussion One Due date: Initial post by Wednesday before mid-night, reply to your classmates by Sunday before midnight. (You may have additional time for the initial post if needed. No late point deductions). Thanks. Every week you will be asked to discuss what you have read. Here’s the criteria: Minimum 450-500 words (for the initial post and 250 for each response), use the same terminology found in the textbooks/ articles, answer the prompts below, and respond to at least two classmates' posts. Make sure all your posts are free of grammatical and spelling errors. The theme of the course is “Becoming a Global Citizen.” The right to Vote is key to create change. Click on the links to the following articles to help you become informed about the importance of voting. These are three articles, and within these articles there are more embedded articles. After reading these three articles, provide a short discussion on why you and the authors think it is important to vote this November in the U.S. elections. Use evidence from the three readings to make your advocacy argument. Here is a link to the 5 principles of advocacy: https://www.youth4work.com/Talent/legal-advocate/Forum/144584-what-are-the-5-principles-of-advocacy-what-are-qualities-of-a-good-advocate Read: Joe MaCarthy’s Citizenship article: “The Voting Rights Act Passed 55 Years Ago. Voting Rights are Still Under Attack.” https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/voting-rights-act-history-and-consequences/ Why Global Citizens Should Care: “Voting is an integral part of being a citizen in a democratic state, as it helps to determine how society is organized and resources are allocated. The United States calls on countries to safeguard this basic right.” Read: Joe McCarthy’s Opinion Citizenship: “Voting is Key to Ending Extreme Poverty.” https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/voting-is-key-to-ending-extreme-poverty/ McCarthy states, “ Voting decides who gets to wield power in a democracy.” Why Global Citizens Should Care: “The United Nations’ Global Goal 16 call on countries to protect the integrity of elections and ensure that people have a say in political processes.” Read: Kristine Liao’s Advocacy Citizenship: “Global Citizen Teams Up with Headcount to Engage 1 Million Young Voters in 2020.” https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/headcount-voter-registration-partnership/ Liao states, “ Voter registration numbers are at historic lows as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Why Global Citizens Should Care: “ Exercising the right to vote is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy, and young people represent a large part of the voting population. Low voter registration threatens peace, justice, and strong institutions, which the United Nations identifies as key aspects to eliminating extreme poverty.” “Voting—along with protesting, an independent press, and transparent governance—is one of the basic building blocks of democracy.” ***Not registered to vote or not sure if you are registered. Check out this link: Rock The Vote: Register to Vote: https://register.rockthevote.com/registrants/new