Ivy Bryan
- Essay
- Sep 6, 2023
- 1 min read
Essay / Voting Rights
What used to be storefronts and apartments is now home to the New York Nets basketball team. I’ve been here plenty of times to see my favorite musical artists, but today is different. Today I will get up on the stage and encourage elementary school age kids, including those from my alma mater, PS 119, to become young activists and volunteers.
“Ivy Bryan?” a woman calls. It’s time to go on stage.
I’m shaking and nervous, reminding myself to breathe, blink, drink water until my foot
hits the stage stairs, and it all melts away because I have people to inspire....In November 2016, I was a poll worker for the presidential election. All day I felt purpose — I would help people cast their ballot, a right that has been fought for time and again, and hard won,
especially for the immigrant community. Immigrants are so important to the American story, and their voices deserve to be heard. Part of why I feel so passionate about voting is because my father immigrated here from Jamaica.
