Knol Aust
by Rachel Malone
April 17, 2003
Although Knol Aust, 27, has never met Lenny Kravitz, Queen Latifah, or Sting, he works side-by-side with them each day as each helps motivate young American voters. Aust, a Web designer who grew up in Raymond, is leading the way to raise awareness of the importance of voting by starting a Rock the Vote chapter in Jackson. "Young people are not always given a voice in politics," he said. "Sitting around without action will not promote or provoke change. It will take a unified movement and a strong system of support. Rock the Vote is completely non-partisan and believes that voting is one of the simplest actions a young American can do to make change."
What began as a grassroots movement titled "Censorship is Un-American" has led to a progressive voting campaign that has rocked the nation over the past 12 years, engaging young voters across the country. Since 1990, "Rock the Vote" has been driven by volunteers and superstars. The movement has fired up voters between the ages of 18 and 24—it reports registering 350,000 new youth voters and helping lead more than 2 million new young voters to the polls.
A native Mississippian, Aust has lived in Jackson—now Belhaven Heights—for the last eight years and said he loves his home state and the progress he sees. "I have felt for many years that Mississippi (especially Jackson) has an incredible amount of potential that has not been nurtured or enjoyed," Aust said. "Luckily, with the new renaissance occurring, this potential is finally being recognized and exposed to the masses."
Along with his famous celebrity co-workers across the nation, Aust has begun to passionately encourage young adults to reclaim their voting privileges. "Young people have to speak up, or we will never be heard," Aust said. "If we don't, our system of government will never be changed."
Recently, Lenny Kravitz wrote a controversial song titled "We Want Peace," for the national Rock the Vote campaign. "I think it's common sense that most people want peace," Aust said. "I don't think anyone would say war is a good thing. Most young people don't support war. We're not anti-war; we just want to have peace restored to the world.
Look for Aust and his "Rock the Vote" volunteer team members at Jubliee Jam in May, area college registrations, concerts and other events. Aust said that Rock the Vote does not hold any political agendas other than encouraging young adults to get active. "We need volunteers," Aust said. "We want people, young people, to be involved."
To volunteer for Rock the Vote, contact Aust at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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