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By Danielle West
In 1865 following the Civil War, the thirteenth amendment prohibited slavery and offered a minimum level of citizenship to former slaves. However, in order to exercise their voting rights they were given voting tests that excluded several blacks from the polls due to their level of literacy. It wasn’t until 1963 when the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) started a voter registration program in Selma Alabama with assistance from Dr. King led several marches at, which he and his followers were arrested. The unresisting marchers were not only arrested but most were murdered, and attacked just to gain voting rights.
Two years later President Lyndon B. Johnson finally heard the voice of our people and signed the Voting rights Act of 1965 on August 6. This act suspended restrictions on who could vote, poll taxes, and voter tests. African Americans who had been excluded from registering to vote finally had an alternative to local and state courts. Blacks’ regaining the power to vote changed the appearance of the South forever, but is that change utilized within the black community today?
On Sunday March 2, at Paul Quinn College a Justice Speak Out rally was held by Black Youth Vote! The event was hosted by Chancee` Lundy, National Co-Chair, Black Youth Vote. Featured speakers included Carl Mack, Executive Director of the National Society of Black Engineers, and BET’s Jeff Johnson of the Jeff Johnson Chronicles. Local politicians running for office included Heath Harris, Democrat for District Judge, and Baltasar Cruz, Democratic Party for the Texas Supreme Court, Place 7. The purpose of this free event was to engage youth between the ages of 18-35 to build independent political power, become more involved within their community and be heard.
Each speaker spoke powerfully on the present issues at hand within the black community during this electoral race.
“Historically the black turnout has been low during elections because the majority have the same mindset of their vote not counting,” said Mack. “Years ago in Florida, blacks were unable to vote, and it doesn’t make sense that we aren’t more involved.”
Many felt that change is on the horizon and they are looking for Obama to bring about that change. Considering Obama being of African American descent, he was able to capture 80 to 90 percent of the black vote in Texas, and that may possibly change the outlook black voters have and realize the importance of their voice.
Majority of the people present showed their support for Obama but there were a few who had doubts about him changing America.
“He will not change Black America, we are dedicated more to the political party than within our community,” said Jeff Johnson, stressing the fact that our president deals with issues affecting the world and we as a community should be more involved with issues at hand and address them with local politicians who can address them.
The two words repeated during the rally were “change” and “history.”
“No matter what the outcome, change will happen, and history will be made,” continued Johnson. “Change will occur because a new candidate will reside in office with different political views and history will be made because it will be the first year America had an African American or female hold the title as President of the United States.”
Mack and Johnson both left the audience with food for thought before they returned to their seats. Carl Mack wanted the audience to remember some of the many trials endured to get us where we are today such as Plessy vs. Ferguson, Brown vs. Board of Education, and The March on Washington. Jeff Johnson only asked that four things be done:
- Have our own agenda, because we will continue to be played because we don’t
- Be serious about institution maintenance, and shift how we maintain them
- Officially play chess and stop playing checkers.
Think about those things and apply them within your community. With John McCain sewing up the Republican nomination and Clinton and Obama battling for the Democratic nomination, vote in November for the candidate of your choice, and don’t allow race or gender to persuade you, focus on the issues that affect you and your community! |
