Nearly 150 years would pass after Abigail Adams wrote these words that the United States would give women the right to vote. And even then, equality at the ballot box was not extended to all women.

Today marks 99 years since the ratification of the historic 19th Amendment, which states that the right to vote cannot be denied based solely on one’s sex. In the fight for access to the ballot boxes, generations of women before us lobbied, marched, protested and in some cases were jailed and participated in hunger strikes. Labeled radicals and agitators, these women were ridiculed and resisted almost every step along the way, sacrificing for something that too many of us now take for granted.

Though this was a monumental victory in our nation’s history, it’s important to note that the 19th Amendment did not apply equally to all women. It would be decades more before the same privilege extended to other ethnicities.  Intimidation, poll taxes, and literacy exams were examples of impediments on the liberties of minorities trying to exercise their same right to vote. Native American and Asian American women would face citizenship issues for years. African American women would not see true progress until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights of 1965.

And yet, the fight for voting rights is still far from over. Voter suppression efforts are keeping people from the ballot box throughout the country with the rise of intentional barriers such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship laws, the reduction of early voting and polling hours, gerrymandering, and even the purging of registered voters from polls. Thwarting Americans from casting a ballot is counter to the republican ideals set forth in the Constitution.

With so many competing issues that need our attention, such as climate change, reproductive rights, immigration and more, it’d be easy to dismiss voting rights as yet another cause to care about on the laundry list of things under attack. However, it’s important to note that all of the other causes can be strengthened by, and in some cases may be dependent on, voting. Who gets to exercise their right and who actually shows up to cast a ballot, can be the determining factor. Voting rights should be a priority for all citizens, no matter the cause that drives them to the polls.

As we lead up to the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, it’s important that we carry on the work of women before us. The fight for the right to vote is still critical, so if you want pay homage to the women like Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells, to name a few, consider engaging in one of the actions below. These women deserve to have us continue their fight.

And to continue with the words of Mrs. Abigail Adams, let us not forget that “if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion.”

1. Become a Voter Deputy Registrar. Registering new voters is one of the most impactful actions you can take. Go where the people are, particularly the non-voters, and get creative. Consider a naturalization ceremony, public transit stop, or your local college.  Turn a day at the beach into an opportunity to meet the people around you and spread encourage civic engagement.

2. Donate and volunteer for campaigns who will fight for voter rights. Before you cast your vote for a candidate, ensure they will not hinder or suppress the vote.

3. Support organizations taking on the challenge. Efforts by voting rights voting rights groups such as Let America Vote, the ACLU, and the League of Women Voters often rely on volunteers and financial contributions in order to do their work, so take a moment to find a chapter near you today.

4. Write to your representatives. Put the pressure on our leaders and let them know you support voting initiatives such as automatic automatic voter registration, expanding early voting, and voter restoration efforts.

5. Organize.  Bring your networks together to support in any of the above efforts. Same-day voter registration or other voting rights initiatives will not be a reality unless we are organized and demand it.

6. Volunteer to be a poll watcher. If you see something during elections that you think will keep people from voting, speak up and take action.

7. Become a census volunteer. The 2020 Census is around the corner and though citizenship status will not be asked, there is still a high level of fear and distrust in many communities on how this data could be used. Census data is important for the allocation of representatives and funding for a district, among many other things, so work to push participation in your area.

8. Write an op ed or get media attention. Your local, state and federal official keep tabs on what their constituents are demanding, so be sure to take up space in the papers they read or the channels they watch so they know this is a priority in their district.

9. Run for office. Make the difference by being the decision maker.

10. And, of course, VOTE. Since 1980, women have had a greater turn out at the polls than men, but with less than half of eligible women voting during non-presidential elections, it’s important to encourage engagement during local elections and midterms.

As a child, Jasmine was the only princess I ever emulated for Halloween. Before her, Disney gave us Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Belle at least had brunette hair, but it was the bold colors of Jasmine’s clothes that reminded me of my mother’s traditional attire and the vibrance of Agrabah that infused a sense of pride in me as a young half-Asian girl. Now looking back, I realized her strength, independence, and compassion were important characteristics to replicate, but at the time all I knew was that I saw myself in her.

Though diversity in media still has a long way to go, major blockbuster hits such as Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians have proven to Hollywood that actors of color in lead roles are profitable. These movies were more than just box office darlings; they ignited a movement for audiences of color who came out in droves to finally witness representation that they had waited so long to see. Communities recognized the importance of children getting the opportunity to see such history for themselves during Black Panther’s release, and soon, news of sold out theatres and viral videos of students receiving free tickets added to the excitement of the premiere.

Representation matters, especially for young viewers who could have their common perceptions challenged, and hopefully dismantled, regarding concepts such a racism or gender roles. 2017’s Wonder Woman is an example of the power of a film even after a child has seen it. The representation of a female protagonist with superpowers was obviously an opportunity for young girls to finally join in on all of the superhero fun, but there was also a profound effect on young boys. Something as simple as a young boy wanting a Wonder Woman lunch box has the power to change long-standing mindsets and behaviors in individuals and beyond, extending further than the walls of the theatre.

Disney’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin premiering this weekend also has that same potential for impact on children who have yet to see a film with people of Middle Eastern or Asian descent as main characters, particularly who are not terrorists or the token Asian sidekick. The film’s release, in the midst of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) nonetheless, is an opportunity to see an entertaining musical full of talented dancers, singers and actors that are rarely seen in film.

In a recent interview, Mena Massaud, the Egyptian-Canadian actor who plays the role of Aladdin, said, “I think this film is really important and it’s a representation. And hopefully if it does well in cinemas, Hollywood can kind of have confidence in the fact that you can put a Middle Easterner in a lead role and in these iconic roles and it will still do well.”

According to a recent study by The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative which investigated over 1,000 top films from 2007 to 2017, less than 5% of actors with speaking roles were Asian. Worse yet, Middle Eastern actors made up less than 2%. In Jack Shaheen’s book, Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People, he found that 932 of the 1,000 films he studied depicted Arabs in a negative light, often as terrorists or other demeaning stereotypes. Children born post 9/11 in particular have grown up in a country where there has been an increase in negative coverage throughout their lives.

I can’t help but wonder what message is being sent to the youth of America when we ignore or misrepresent entire races, ethnicities and cultures. With the steady rise of xenophobia and Islamophobia in the United States and abroad, the power of a film like this should not be underestimated. Fighting populism with Disney may sound silly or naive to some, but the possibility of young children wanting to visit Agrabah or wear a backpack with someone of color on the front is far from trivial.

“With the steady rise of xenophobia and Islamophobia in the United States and abroad, the power of a film like #Aladdin should not be underestimated.” (@tinagreen917)
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I must note that the film has had plenty of criticism over casting and will hopefully avoid the colorist stereotyping from the original film. There is also a chance that the film may depict Agrabah as an exotic and foreign land perpetuating existing stereotypes of the Far East. Hopefully, this will not outweigh the potential benefits of on-screen representation.

Parents- taking your children to see Aladdin might not be as magical as a carpet ride, the support of breaking barriers and prejudices can be just as enchanting.