Julie Helen: It's important to use your vote and your voice

THIS time next week, it’ll be nearly time to go to the polls for the local and European elections. It is important to have your say. Go and vote. I will always advocate for having your voice heard and being part of making decisions and having an impact wherever you can. I believe our free will, our independence and our freedom to be the very things that make us human.

I will be honest in saying, this is the first time in the run up to an election, that I feel a sense of apathy which I have never really felt before.

The posters have annoyed me and obstructed my view while driving more than they have informed me, despite knowing that statistically the visual representation of candidates does alert voters to their choices. I have found myself thinking and saying “do I really care?” Then in another breath I heard myself defending politicians in how many of them do very important work and they are in it for the right reasons.

The abuse online that public representatives get, has been a subject around our table and as a communications professional, I know just not engaging in the social media space is just not an appropriate answer for someone who wants to win a campaign which they are putting all of their energy into. Then I circle back to not caring again.

I think another sector of social media have us with “All eyes on Rafah” and we see many images of terror that is happening to ordinary people like you and me and horrendous things happening to beautiful children who are just like my little boy, but they have no safe bed and their loved ones are dying around them. I find myself scrolling quickly through footage so that I won’t see something too upsetting. Then I feel like I am not an activist like I so often claim to be. The social media sphere I am part of has lots of posting and activism for Palestine and now Ireland as a State also recognises the State of Palestine.

In my corner of the world, I can lend my words and donate to charities supplying aid. The marches and rallies are not accessible enough to me but I hope my words count for something.

 Actually, I know my words count a lot to many of you. 20 years of writing here has taught me as much. To those of you that are active and on the streets and mobilising, thank you for what you are doing. It takes great energy to get involved and to put the goings-on in your own head on hold to stand in solidarity.

To those of you for whatever reason do not have the capacity to be active or “do something”. If you are like me and feel a sort of panic when the social media bombardment happens or when an influencer calls out those “saying nothing”. Remember to take a breath. Activism can be very hard at times and energy for it can ebb and flow. 

All you can do is your best and what sits right for you and your family at this moment in time.

 We all want children to be safe, we all want everyone to have somewhere safe to call home. All I know is I have a little corner of paper or the internet where I have great privilege to tell people what I think. Peace is what Palestine needs. A ceasefire now is what people need and children deserve a future of freedom and justice just like we have because of the lasting peace brokered on our island.