​How FOMO and Selfies from Georgia could Land a Blue Senate

Many of us are waiting with bated breath to find out which two U.S. Senate candidates will win the runoff elections in Georgia tomorrow. We all know what’s at stake: whether the Senate will be majority red or blue. It’s been thrilling to witness how black women leaders like Stacey Abrams, LaTosha Brown, and Keisha Lance Bottoms have mobilized to fight against long-time voter suppression that has kept black people and other marginalized groups from voting and being heard.

Those of us in journalism often rely on lengthy human-interest stories paired with statistics and/or survey results to engage readers on topics we deem important. We see the opposite on the Facebook account “Team Stacey Abrams for Warnock/Ossoff RunOffs.” The feed is full of inspiring and heartwarming caption-length stories from men and women on their way to vote or who just voted. This includes sentiments like:

• “Took about an hour twenty, but we locked in our Ossoff/Warnock ballots!”
  
  
• “Let's go Georgia the world is depending on us!! As a young black female, I will always make it my duty to let my voice be heard! Rainy day but I got it done! #WarnockyourOssoff
  
  
• "An hour line couldn’t keep me away today, disney has longer lines and honestly no ride is as exciting turning the senate blue!! Last day to early vote!!! We got this Georgia!!"
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• “My 18-year-old cast her 1st vote today! So proud of her!!”

It’s surprising just how powerful these tiny personal stories are. I've been thinking about why. There is certainly the “David and Goliath” element, where bullied victims finally rise up and win their due justice. There is also the reminder that “we the people"--me, you, all of us—want policies and laws that truly represent and protect us. Many of us are sick and tired of having white rich men passing policies that help build their fortunes and protect their power, and the rest of us be damned (or simply ignored). 

​The last four years sure taught us that that we can’t sit back and hope politicians get it right. We must get in the game to fight for our rights. Right now, each Georgian who gets out and votes, particularly during a pandemic, is doing so for themselves, their communities, and for all of us who want change. I want to see and celebrate their faces on social media, and add to the comments cheering them on and expressing gratitude (i.e. "Say it Kylee, we got this!" "Thank you from Boston, we love you!" "Sending love, hope and good vibes from Long Island, NY! You GOT this Georgia.").

These stories and selfies also remind us that lecturing and cajoling us to vote, or do anything, is a waste of breath (ask any teen if you need a reminder). It is far more effective to build a collective sense of enthusiasm that we want to take part in while creating a narrative that allows us be a hero. Who knew FOMO (fear of missing out) could be such a rallying political tool?

​Lastly, hearing from everyday people stepping into their power feels far more exhilarating these days than hearing from any big-name celebrity or entertainer. I'd rather hear from a grandmother of five voting for the first time than from anyone I might see on the red carpet. No matter what happens tomorrow in the elections, I count this all as a huge win for democracy.