Chelsea Handler Calls 2020 Election A 'Human Rights Issue'

By Peyton Blakemore

August 24, 2020

Chelsea Handler believes all Americans should take the upcoming general election seriously.

As part of iHeartRadio's "Why I'm Voting" podcast, the comedian and best-selling author spoke of the importance of voting in the 2020 Presidential election.

“This is a human rights issue," Chelsea said when asked what'd she'd say to someone who was on the fence about voting. "This election is a human rights issue. Do you care about human rights?”

"It's a matter of dignity," she added while discussing why Americans should vote even if they believe "the results are a lock."

"You want your voice heard," Chelsea continued. "You can't have the attitude that you don't matter, then you don't matter, because then you're telling yourself you don't matter. And if you don't think you matter then who else is supposed to believe you? This is the time to be voting and to be exercising that right.”

The 45-year-old podcast host went on to speak about how she doesn't simply vote for herself, but also for marginalized groups as she's found that it is a productive way to use her white privilege.

“I was having fun and trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life, but as I've gotten older, which is the evolution with many of us, we understand how this world operates and that it works in our favor if you're white," she explained. "And that is something that we've all come to the realization of. Many of us, anyway, that the opportunities that we've been presented are a result of our skin color. It doesn't take away from the talent or your struggle. You can have talent or you can not have talent. You could struggle, or you can not struggle. But being born with white skin in this country is an advantage. And now I vote for black people. I vote for marginalized groups."

"I vote for the LGBTQ community. I vote for Muslims. I vote for Mexicans. I vote for immigrants, and I vote for people of color because we, as people of privilege, have a responsibility to participate in undoing the 400 years of oppression that we have done. We are responsible. Whether we were here or not, we are responsible to undo it," Chelsea shared.

"Why I’m Voting" features some the biggest stars, cultural influencers and athletes, sharing what matters to them most as the upcoming election approaches, and why it’s so important to show up to the ballot box. The podcast will run weekly through Election Day in November, and listeners will have the chance to talk about why they are voting, and can record and submit their own 20 second or less audio or video message at iHeartRadio.com/vote.

Photo: Getty Images

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