https://www.npr.org/2016/06/22/4830...activists-see-no-reason-to-vote-for-president
Some Young Black Activists Say They Won't Vote For President
June 22, 20165:10 AM ET
Heard on Morning Edition
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Koya Graham, 36, says she no longer sees "voting as a means to an end" and does not intend to vote for president this November.
Asma Khalid/NPR
This November's presidential election comes on the heels of a year of incomparable black activism.
Young activists are protesting in the streets, organizing on college campuses and disrupting campaign rallies to push for change in powerful ways.
You might expect this political energy to be reflected at the ballot box. But some activists, like Koya Graham, don't see much of a point in voting for president.
When Graham turned 18, the first thing she did was register to vote. And, year-after-year, she was a loyal voter — until this primary season.
"I'm not interested anymore. I don't see any immediate, significant changes happening," says Graham, now 36. "I don't see voting as a means to an end."
Graham recognizes that her decision could be controversial.
"I know people use the argument, 'Well, black people have fought so hard to get the right to vote and then how can you not vote?' I understand, I understand your point," she says with an exasperated sigh. "But, we vote, we vote these people into office, but once they get into office — then what?"
