Element was packed with young folk and urban professionals. They came to see Marlon Wayans, who is supporting Kevin Powell’s candidacy for the 10th Congressional seat. Wayans, best known for genius comic performances on TV and in film – In Living Color, Scary Movie, and The Wayans Brothers – did not disappoint. Currently working on a biopic on the life of Richard Prior, Wayans explained why he was there, with a clear message.
“I think Kevin would be a good representative for Brooklyn, said Wayans. “Brooklyn needs someone who understands the plight of Brooklynites. I think he will be good for the future. He is a prolific writer, articulate and smart. He is young and hip. He is the new phase of politics.”
Wayans has a message for young people on the importance of voting. “I don’t think our youth take voting serious enough. I don’t think they understand the voice that they have. You don’t have a voice until you speak. Get out there, and go vote, instead of talking about ‘Aww, it ain’t working.’ One vote counts,” he said. Wayans gave a concrete example of why voting counts. “The thing about Bush and Gore’s election, if a couple of more people had been like ‘You know what? My vote does count,’ we would have had 8 years of Gore, instead of 8 years of Bush. We probably would have been in no wars.”
Wayans’ admission he did not vote for the first 35 years of his life was met with audible shock. “When you grow up in the 'hood like I did, right here on 6th Street and 9th Avenue (Manhattan), I figured, ‘My vote don’t count. Look where I live.’ But then I realized I was ignorant,” Wayans said. “I have no shame in saying I was ignorant. If there is anybody here who is ignorant, your vote does count. Your actions count. Your energy counts.”
For more from Wayans, see the clip. You will also hear Kevin Powell tell why activists, politicians, or would-be politicians associate with the entertainment industry.
delicious
digg