“Vote or Die” will be the messagegiven to students by Citizen Change on Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 1 -3 p.m. onSouthern University’s campus.
Citizen Change, a national,non-partisan and non-profit organization was created to educate, motivate andempower the more than 42 million Americans age 18 to 30 that are eligible tovote.
The organization was founded bybusinessman, entertainer, actor, producer and designer Sean “P. Diddy”Combs.
Their mission is to make voting hot,sexy and relevant to a generation that hasn’t reached full participation in thepolitical process.
KaRhonda “Kay” Scriven, LouisianaCollege Representative and Southern University student is the individual whobrought this plan together. Scriven along with Wayne Haydin, (2003-2004)Student Government Association President, did a hip-hop summit last semesterduring springfest where they registered about 2,600 students to vote.
“I went on the Citizen Changewebsite and I put in my request,” Scriven said. “I submitted a general outlineof what I wanted to do.”
Jamie Simmons, director of CitizenChange college events, and Vanessa Marmon, Jamie’s assistant contacted herabout setting it up.
“They were real supportive,” Scrivensaid.
The event is a voter educationrally.
”The guests expected to attend are P. Diddy, Mase, NewEdition and a host of political speakers,” Scriven said.
Scriven looks at this election as avery important one.
“This is one of the most crucialelections since John F. Kennedy,” Scriven said. “It’s time for us to step upand take care of our generation and those coming behind us.”
The Alpha Sigma chapter of KappaAlpha Psi, The Student Government Association, Equal Horizons, WEMX-FM 94.1 andIt’s Time Productions have been helping Scriven with this event.
“I think it is a good idea that Voteor Die is coming,” said Alvin J. Woods, SGA senior class president. “It’sgeared toward the urban community. It’s good for them to come to our campusbecause we’re the age range that they’re trying to reach.”
The event is open to all collegestudents in the state of Louisiana.
