Tell Me When to Vote

By: Honors Senior English, Oakland School for the Arts , Asha Richardson , Rose Powell , Sabrina Baranda

This story was created as part of a 2008 education pilot project between I.M.O.W. and Oakland School for the Arts. The video is a response to the Malaysian Everywoman story from the Women, Power and Politics exhibition. The character Mak Bedah promotes democracy by delivering political-minded messages to the catchy beat of American pop songs.

We wanted to show our support for the Malaysian women's political movement, so we created our version of the hip-hop song "Tell Me When to Go." We hope our video will encourage people internationally to get involved in the democratic process and the trajectory of their country's future.

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Tell Me When to Vote

"Mak Bedah" - Malaysian sensation and inspiration for the video above. View Larger >

Asha: Tell me when to vote,
Sabrina: Tell me when to vote,
Rose: Tell me when to vote,
All: Tell me when to vote. Go vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote. Tell me when to vote.

Asha: Tell me when to vote,
Sabrina: Tell me when to vote,
Rose: Tell me when to vote,
All: Tell me when to vote. Go vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote!

Rose: You got a choice, so make it,
Pick up your ballot and go on and take it.
Asha: Imagine all the change that could happen
Dancing in poll booths while our beat is slappin’
All: Ooh, tell me when to vote.

Sabrina: Check out the platforms to see what they wrote,
My 2nd or 3rd trip, some hope, some change and some other bullshit.
Rose: We need someone to free us from all this hypocrisy
And someone to lead us into a great democracy.

Asha: Aye Malaysia we see you on IMOW
Sitting in our scrapper, watching Behad go wild... Ta-dow!
Sabrina: We see how hard you work, the messages you shout,
Here in the bay, we feel what you’re all about.

Asha: So, keep spreadin’ the message and reapin’ your word,
Rose: 'Cuz all across the world you’ve been heard.

Asha: Tell me when to vote,
Sabrina: Tell me when to vote,
Rose: Tell me when to vote,
All: Tell me when to vote. Go vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote. Tell me when to vote.

Asha: Tell me when to vote,
Sabrina: Tell me when to vote,
Rose: Tell me when to vote,
All: Tell me when to vote,
Go vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote!