Award-Winning Actress Angela Bassett Encourages Students to Vote During Visit to Claflin University
Feb 09, 2016
A capacity crowd filled the W.V. Middleton Auditorium at Claflin University Tuesday to hear award-winning actress
Angela Bassett discuss the importance of voting and encouraged students to play active roles in decisions that affect their respective communities. Bassett’s visit to Claflin was one of several Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rallies scheduled this week at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina. The GOTV initiative was established to promote voter registration and participation at HBCUs throughout the Palmetto State and across the country.
“What makes this country great is that our power lies within our vote. We cannot suppress our voice and our vote,” stated Bassett during her speech.
Energizing young people throughout the country through grassroots initiatives is a cause that Bassett is proud to be a part of. She also visited South Carolina in 2008 when she advocated for President Barack Obama during a GOTV tour.
Attendees of the event left energized and compelled to make a difference by voting in the upcoming election.
“Throughout her speech, Ms. Bassett reminded students of the importance of voting and education. We are voting for our own future and we have the opportunity to make an incredible impact,” stated Destini Crum, a senior majoring in mass communications.
Bassett concluded her speech by challenging the audience to go out to the polls and cast their votes on February 27 during the South Carolina Democratic primary election.
“You are never too young to make an impact or to make a difference,” concluded Bassett.