Celebrities encourage voter registration at Richmond, campaign for Obama downtown

Growing up as the child of immigrants, former "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" actress Tatyana Ali learned nightly at the dinner table that America was the land of opportunity.

But for the past eight years, she's felt that opportunity slip away, telling a crowd Thursday evening in downtown Richmond that's the reason she will be voting for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Earlier Thursday, Ali -- along with celebrities Marlon Wayans and Jurnee Smollett -- spoke to a University of Richmond Justice and Civil Society class taught by professor Karen Zivi to stress the importance of citizenship and voting. The stars later encouraged an audience of young people to "Vote for Change" during a Democratic rally downtown at the Hyperlink Cafe.

Ashley Etienne, press secretary for Virginia for Obama, said that that the three celebrities had been campaigning for the Democratic nominee at college campuses and high schools across the country during the past few months. They visited the University of Virginia earlier Thursday.

When the gray van transporting the former "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "Scary Movie" and "The Great Debaters" stars pulled up to the Jepson Quadrangle, it was clear as they pulled themselves from their seats -- speckled in "Obama" stickers -- that they were exhausted, but still enthusiastic about their cause.

Marlon Wayans asked for a green tea.

The discussion centered on the importance of voting -- regardless of affiliation -- and how unity within a community can promote change. Wayans kept the class laughing by playfully ostracizing the only African-American male in the class and commenting on Zivi's resemblance to Tina Fey.

He also talked about how he regretted his indifference to voting while attending college. He suggested that his generation's apathy contributed to an atmosphere of indifference around the country today.

"I'm kicking myself because I didn't vote," Wayans said. "It's not all Bush's fault, it's mine.

"Whatever you decide to do, go vote. To me, it's not a black-and-white issue. It's a red, white and blue issue."

Smollett encouraged voters who were registered in their home states to re-register in Virginia because the Commonwealth will be a battleground state during the presidential election.

The speakers also encouraged the students to motivate their friends about voting and the potential for change.

"You guys are the x-factor," Wayans said. "You need to touch as many people as you can and tell them to go out and vote. I mean, y'all are in college, so rock out."

Zivi was able to arrange the appearance through a former student who was now working for the Obama campaign, she said.

"It was perfect for this class since it focuses on service learning and citizenship," Zivi said.

Later Thursday evening at the Hyperlink Cafe gathering -- sponsored by Campaign for Change -- the celebrities were more specific about why they had chosen to support Obama.

The crowd of about 100 primarily African-American young people cheered and reached for their cell-phone cameras as the three actors emerged on the modest stage.

The celebrities focused on emphasizing how every vote mattered and encouraged the crowd to vote and dispel the idea that young people are apathetic toward politics.

"They say that it's people 18 to 30 that don't care," Smollett said. "We're lazy, we're not going to show up, but I think they're wrong. They're counting on us being silent.

Ali said she was insulted by the idea that Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as vice president was attracting Hilary Clinton supporters.

"What offends me the most," Ali said, "is that they're trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I'm not voting for Barack Obama because he's black. A black person can hurt me, a woman can hurt me, I need someone who is there for me in a substantive way ... She may be a woman, but she is certainly not Hilary Clinton."

Wayans said that he was voting for Obama because he didn't want his children to be forced to fight in a war that could have been prevented through communication and compromise.

In response to opponents' claims that Obama's energy and education plans are unrealistic and overly ambitious, Ali said that it was essential to raise standards if there was any hope for change.

"To say that someone is aiming too high is just not American," she said. "I mean we went to the moon. We have to aim high if we intend to keep the integrity of who we are and the country that we've been."

Contact staff writer Emily Viviani at emily.viviani@richmond.edu