Krist Novoselic is pushing youth to get involved in Democracy. In addition to the long-term implications, this is something that should be of immediate concern.
In 2004, young voters were the only age group Democrats won. Directly after the election, the Boston Globe reported:
Despite long lines and registration snafus, voters under age 30 clocked the highest turnout percentage since 1972. The good news is that America's young people are more engaged in politics than at any time in two generations. Aging cynics have been quick to blame the kids for a host of political lapses, but the cynics have it wrong.
Start with the numbers. According to professor William Galston at the University of Maryland, at least 20.9 million Americans under 30 voted on Tuesday. That is an increase of 4.6 million voters from 2000. Four years ago, just 42.3 percent of young people voted. This year more than 51.6 percent did.
While this was good news for Democrats everywhere, the youth surge in the battleground states was critical.
Young people were especially active in battleground states, with turnout at 64.4 percent of eligible voters. Furthermore, these estimates understate things, because college kids are more likely than other groups (except the military) to vote by absentee ballot. Surveys of college students around the country, done in the weeks before the election, found 42 percent of students planning to vote absentee. Exit polls completely miss these young voters who numbered, this year, close to 3 million.
According to exit polls, Senator John Kerry won the under-30 set with 54 percent of the vote to President Bush's 44 percent. The Democrats lost every other age group. Without young Democrat voters, President Bush would have rolled to victory in Wisconsin and New Hampshire; Iowa and Nevada, too, would have been much bigger wins for the president.
Without new young voters showing up against Bush, the Man-Date talk would have been much, much worse.
But the youth organizing movement has continued since the election, and now Krist Novoselic is stepping up in a major way. Not only is he lending his name to help Music for America, he is also donating the Black Eagle Ibanez bass that he used in performances from 1992-1993.
From the Press release:
What's worth more than a part of rock and roll history from the final tour of a multi-platinum band as unforgettable as legendary 90's grunge band Nirvana?
According to Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, young voters are. Novoselic has donated the bass guitar he played in Nirvana's final tour to help fund Music for America (MFA), a non-profit organization that registers, educates and engages young people in politics.
"I am committed to increasing participation in democracy," says Novoselic. "Music For America is an organization that gets people involved. I'm happy to contribute my Black Eagle Ibanez bass to such an effort."
The Nirvana bass is the most notable of many rock, hip-hop, and political collectables and experiences that MFA will auction off the week before March 9th, the date of the organization's first ever Icon Awards. The awards ceremony will recognize musicians, politicians, businesses, donors and activists who join MFA in its mission to engage young people in progressive politics.
The auction will begin online on eBay.com on February 27, and will end with a simultaneous online and offline bidding war at 9 p.m., March 9, during the MFA Icon Awards show in San Francisco.
Here is what Novoselic says at the Ebay auction page:
"The first bass I bought was a Ibanez Black Eagle that was built in the 1970's. That instrument played all the early Nirvana shows and survived much abuse. It is now on display at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.
I can't remember exactly when I picked up this bass. It must have been in 1992 or 1993. It appeared on on the wall of some guitar shop somewhere. I bought it because I liked the other Black Eagle that faithfully served me for so long.
This guitar got smashed up at a Nirvana show sometime, somewhere. Our crew held the practice of salvaging the remaining bits of destroyed instruments. This bass had its neck replaced and they even went as far as to recreate the woodcut "embellishments" that make the Black Eagle unique. It went back into service, where it was rotated with Gibson Rippers, new style Thunderbirds and RD basses.
This guitar is solid. It's heavy and rings with a lot of sustain.
Playing music with Nirvana has given me all the opportunities I enjoy in my life. I hope you enjoy this bass.
Props to Novoselic for donating a piece of history to help get more young people involved in democracy.