Get out and vote!
So as I continue with this series of blogs today I am encouraged to tell everyone to vote. I have heard so many things during this current political cycle. Things like; I’m not voting because I don’t like the candidates, my vote doesn’t matter anyway, I don’t care what happens, it is rigged anyway, and so many other responses. I would like to say first off to any African American reading this blog that is thinking about not voting; shame on you! The things that our ancestors went through for to have this right today is worth every opportunity to vote. They were beaten, sprayed with hoses full of powerful hydrant water, bitten by dogs, in some cases murdered, given ridiculous tasks that whites did not have to perform like test on the constitution and so much more. So for anyone who is taking advantage today because their sacrifice I say get your butt out and do what you need to do.
To that individual who thinks that it’s only about the presidential election change your thought process. It’s also about the down ballot. It’s about local government and local elections. Mayors, school boards, sheriffs, police, city council, particular propositions, and decisions that affect your particular states. The one who chooses to not use their power is one who chooses to remain ignorant, non-affective and useless in my opinion. Typically these are the same individuals who want to complain about issues in the country.
This particular election is so important for our democracy today in so many ways, and a lot is at stake. Don’t look over all that has been said and done during this running season. Pay very close attention to what each party has done or not done for this country’s progress. If anyone reading is of a religious stand make sure you separate what is going on at your particular worship service with what is going on around you as people who are light bearers. For example I am a believer, but I am also a black man in this country who see black men, women and children dying daily on video. I look at politics and positions that will affect more of the same while voting. As much as I want to pray about things I still live in a world that is dark. Our lives should reflect the values we say we have and not what our political environment is trying to dictate. If God does not impose His will on us, make us serve Him, and allows us to make our own choices, and or decisions both good and bad, and still loves us then make sure that is the model you follow as a man or women of faith.
Voting is a choice and we should do it because we have the right to do so. We should respect the separation of church and state and keep them in their perspective categories. One of the main reasons the religious rights have been infringed upon is because we have as a country wanted them to interact and that has not worked for the religious entities. We should keep them separate. Even when it comes to patriotism it has its place but based on our constitutional rights we should use it where should be best used.
The main message I want to get out is the importance of voting not just for this cycle but every cycle. The biggest difference is made when we utilize our rights under the constitution concerning voting. Now even saying this I do so very troubled by what republicans have been responsible for doing in the past three-four years. They gutted out the voter rights act and made it almost non affective. Even as recently as the past two years they have had what the supreme court has called a laser light focus; They have aimed at minority voters in states like North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, and many other southern states to restrict the vote. They have even after the Supreme Court struck down their efforts gone back and cut voting days, places, and early voting stations. This is clearly a problem and when we choose to vote we make a choice to get people that are trying to take us as a country back 50 years out of office. WE send a strong message that America is already great it does not need to be greater. We who are conscious know low key that this means to go back to post Jim Crow days. These amongst many other reasons are why we should exercise our right to vote. Don’t be deceived people our vote counts. Sure the system is not perfect but it is what we have. When we choose to not vote it is a vote for who we may not want in and influential position making decisions for us. So make the choice to get out and vote.
As always thanks for reading the blogs and I hope this provokes a thought followed by a decision.
Have a great day!
D