emPower Magazine Blog

Bailing Out The Big 3

By Quincy Lewis

The country is obviously in a recession. Jobs are hard to come by and even the ones that are available are not guaranteed. Such is the case with the "Big 3."

The automakers are financially strapped, due in part to the ridiculously high gas rates that had Americans traveling less and purchasing fewer vehicles.  Amid the Wall-Street bailout, the three automakers, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, have also asked for relief from the government. However, it has not been so easy for the Big 3, as they have been turned away and asked to come back in front of congress once they have a better business plan and plan overall as to how this money will help the industry.

Congress is looking for long term goals, and not just a band-aid for the ailing auto industry. The executives from each company have to bring a plan that is convincing of that direction. I agree.

The executives, at each of the failing automakers, have been lining their pockets with outrageous salaries and bonuses that allowed each of them to fly their own private jets to the congressional hearing.  Private jets, when thousands are being forced to take buyouts and early retirement to save their sinking companies.  Private jets, when people with 30 years on the job are leaving with no pension or health care.

The Big 3 has to come up with an eco-friendly plan that will open up new areas of employment and keep them competitive in the global market. The auto industry is the backbone of the American manufacturing industry and must come up with innovative ideas keep that position.

With a majority of its origin being Detroit, Mich., it is even that much more important for the Big 3 to survive.  Not only must it survive, but it must thrive, in order to bring Michigan out of its financial suffering that was reminiscent of a recession long before the nation decided to call it a recession.  With an unemployment rate and home foreclosure rate that rank highest in the country, Michigan’s last hope is the resurgence of the auto industry. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

Giving Thanks

By Crecilla Scott

For millions of Americans, this Thursday will be spent preparing stuffing, green beans, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, a turkey, sweet potato pie, rolls, and other delicious meals. Lucky “host” families will be responsible for preparing food as well as their homes for distant relatives, close friends, and perhaps an acquaintance or two. Countless families will unite, catch up on each other’s lives, listen to music, laugh at each other’s jokes, and temporarily suspend some of the troubles of this world.

As we celebrate and show appreciation for what we have--no matter how much or how little--we will also pause to take a measured inventory of our lives.  By Thursday evening, Americans will be collectively giving thanks in many ways and for various reasons: sufficient shelter; good health; family; friendships; employment; transportation; arriving safely to their destination; receiving a raise or promotion; a new house; a new baby; a new spouse; etc.  The collective gratitude of many, for their good fortune, will be tempered by the reality of others’ misfortune: job loss; mounting bills; foreclosure; failing health; grieving the loss of a relative; failed marriage; bankruptcy; depression, etc. No matter which side of the equation you find yourself on, hopefully, you will find many things to be grateful for, as you enjoy a relaxing day with family and friends.  I’ve included a few things below.

We can be thankful that the McPalin Disaster’s campaign was unsuccessful. I cringe to think of Sarah Palin anywhere near the White House. We can be thankful that Obama is tapping the best and the brightest minds to help him govern the country. All of us should be thankful that president Bush has extended unemployment benefits for up to three months for those whose benefits have ended or are nearing expiration.  Finally, we can be thankful that, no matter our circumstances, God’s grace in the form of a new day, means new hope and new possibilities.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/24/AR2008112402965.html?sub=AR
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/21/national/main4622987.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._4622987

Imagine the Possibilities

By Crecilla Scott

As I continue to take in this exhilarating, monumental moment in history, I find myself rejoicing, not only in this country’s extraordinary accomplishments, but also in the vast possibilities that await us.  I find myself imagining, not a perfect America, but an America that is actively and aggressively pursuing the ideals of this country for all of its citizens. I find myself imagining that one day, America’s cities will not be known for their disturbingly high crime rates, poor education systems, and abundance of single parent households. I find myself imagining a reduction in the number of Americans who are poor and homeless.  I find myself imagining that the “check” that has been issued to Black Americans but marked ‘insufficient funds’ for 389 years, will finally clear. I have created a mental picture of a society that has turned a page to begin a new chapter in our collective journey.

If you think that I am delusional, I am not. If you think that I am one of the naïve souls who believe that President-elect Barack Obama can magically solve all of our problems – you are wrong (and you have not read my last two posts).  While I must admit that I am very excited about our next President, I fully recognize that this moment is about more than President-elect Barack Obama. It is about symbolism. It is about leadership. It is about having a seat at the table. It is about being fully represented. Oh, and it is certainly about change.  I have said more times that I care to count, that Barack Obama cannot do it all. He cannot turn off your TV and read to your children. He cannot attend your kid’s parent-teacher conference. He cannot make you marry your child’s mother. Nor are any of these issues his responsibility. While he cannot do it all, one thing is clear: the success of this country depends on a partnership between this country’s leaders and its citizens.

President-elect Barack Obama represents the best that our country has to offer.  He is not only brilliant; but he surrounds himself with the best and the brightest. His brilliantly executed campaign gives us insight into how he will run his administration. Given the fact that we have a leader who is committed to improving the lives of average Americans by funding education, lowering the cost of health care, lowering taxes, creating a strong economy, and leading by example with regard to family—it is essential that we take advantage of this opportunity. Will he be able to accomplish such a grandiose agenda—it (almost) doesn’t matter.  If he is able to accomplish half of his goals, it will be remendous progress. We must remember that the federal government is a multifaceted, slow-moving, complicated bureaucracy. We must also remember that the economy was strong and we enjoyed a federal surplus under the Clinton Administration; so obviously, progress and prosperity are possible. If we do our part to meet the Obama administration halfway, imagine the possibilities. We can enjoy a stronger economy, better schools, lower taxes, and a new sense of pride in the direction of our country. We can enjoy leadership that addresses our concerns because we have learned to turn out to vote in record numbers. Obama’s presidency is an opportunity for the “rubber to hit the road” and where our preparation and hard work can be met with additional opportunities. However, none of these improvements will make us a perfect nation. There is no such thing as a perfect nation. But we will indeed be an imperfect nation, headed in the right direction.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.htm

Election Hangover

By Timothy Nevels

Let me first say congratulations to our new president.

President-Elect Obama has proven we can honestly tell our children that they can be president one day too. It is with great pride that blacks folks everywhere can walk a little taller. I know as a writer it is my job to stay neutral on these types of matters, but I could not resist saying something about this historic event. We were dancing in the streets like everyone else in my hometown. It was a sight to be seen.  Although my particular political background does not coincide with the Democratic Party, this historic event was much bigger than any party or affiliation.

It is my hope with this change that Democrats do not make the same mistakes that Carter did. Overwhelming government programs on the backs of the American people. Republicans a smaller government and Democrats want more government sponsored programs. A balance has to be met.

Currently, Congressional ratings are lower than President Bush’s. Both parties have to make some serious changes on how they do business. It is going to take President-Elect Obama’s ability to cross party lines to bring about peace in Congress. The “it’s them not us” mentality will not fly in 2009. As citizens, we must start holding politicians to their word. When they fail, we must then boot them out of office. We need to pay more attention to what’s going on in Washington. It can’t just be the talking heads on the cable news shows.

Seeing how the youth got involved in this election should also give us all some sense of pride. It is still my belief that most young folks did not vote on any issue in particular, but they voted on the ideal of change. Can we use this opportunity in history to groom young Democrats and Republicans to run for office? I hope so. So many talented people don’t want to serve their country in that capacity because they believe they can change Washington. Well that was proven wrong on November 4th. Bold steps can be taken in today’s America. We have been rolling the same rock for so long. Up the same hill and now the chance to show the world that America is truly a place where anyone can rise to power from humble beginnings. This is a proud moment in time. Every American should take time to reflect on how this is going to change our image abroad. Not that I really care what Europe or any other country feels about America. I do want others to see us as the beacon of freedom. It was somewhat hypocritical of America to say this is the Home of the Free when all our presidents looked alike. This election has and will help change that image.

Celebrating an Obama Victory Part II: Let’s Start with Our Children

By Crecilla Scott

I don’t know about you, but I am still floating on cloud nine, trying to process this mind-blowing, unprecedented, historic moment--otherwise known as the election of Barack Obama.  I must admit, I have had several spontaneous “Barack Obama Victory” celebrations with my colleagues.  In fact, we had a full-fledged “meeting” to discuss our sense of pride, joy, and amazement. The excitement and heightened sense of anticipation is extraordinary.  Unfortunately, I was brought back to reality after reading a disturbing article in Sunday’s edition of the Washington Post. The article detailed the extraordinary challenges of one middle school.  Less than 20 percent of the school’s students are proficient in reading. The school has failed to make sufficient annual progress on standardized test scores. Three teachers have been assaulted. Kids run through the halls, curse freely, and deliberately disrupt classroom learning. The school has a high rate of teacher vacancies.  In summary, this school is not an institution of learning. It is a dysfunctional breeding ground for disaster.

I am one of millions of Americans who believe that we have elected a President who cares. But no matter how intelligent, focused, or compassionate he is, and no matter how brilliant his policy initiatives may be, there's one thing that President-elect Barack Obama, or any other President, congressman, senator, pastor, principal, neighbor, or teacher cannot do--and that’s raise our children. Of course they can help. Elected officials, spiritual advisors, and education leaders play an important role in the process of educating our children. We must appropriately fund education, elect competent leaders, hire qualified and effective principles and teachers, and hold everyone accountable.

As an education researcher, I fully understand that effective leadership makes a difference. I know that qualified teachers make a difference and academic achievement can be improved when comprehensive reform is implemented. However, I also know that students cannot learn when their primary focus is being obnoxious, disrespectful, and mischievous.  It is equally difficult to learn when students are in environments of chaos, disrespect, ridicule, and violence. Our children deserve better.  I hate to go Bill Cosby on you, but some folks have got to do better!  As we celebrate Obama’s victory, let’s remember that this is a joint effort. Let’s celebrate by helping a brother out--discipline your children! Even if President-elect Obama properly funds No Child Left Behind, children cannot learn in an environment of total chaos. Reading levels do not improve in noisy, undisciplined, distracting classrooms. Parents should celebrate an Obama victory by committing to spend more time parenting their children. I’m sure President-elect Obama and teachers in urban schools would appreciate parents who celebrate by disciplining their children.  We can all celebrate by ensuring that our children watch less TV or at least nudge them to watch more Discovery Channel or PBS. We must realize that Barack Obama represents the best we have to offer, but he is not all that we have to offer. We must raise the next generation of doctors, engineers, scientists, professors, surgeons, CEOs, and future presidents. But this task begins with loving, nurturing and properly educating and disciplining our children.  If we want our next president to succeed, we must be willing to work with him.  We must prepare our children for the opportunities that he will create. Change does not happen by osmosis, and it is most effective when everyone is on board. If we want to continue to celebrate an Obama victory, let’s start with our children.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://www.brookings.edu/press/Books/2002/bridgingtheachievementgap.aspx

Could Armageddon Be Upon America?

By Rev. Tyree Anderson

I was hoping to write this blog while in Uganda, East Africa (either in Soroti or Kampala). My intent was to help our people in the Diaspora focus on the work the church and African Americans must do to help liberate our sisters and brothers still suffering from the effects of colonialism and our subsequent reality of racism.  I could not find time to write, and it was frustrating. However, when I came back to the states (the exile) I had a friend waiting to discuss a co-worker’s statement about this historical election we are witnessing. My friend’s co-worker declared that “Armageddon is Upon Us.”  This statement troubled my friend. After hearing the context and understanding her (my friend’s) concerns, I began to help her understand that this is the most disturbing season in America’s religious existence. The possible election of Barack Hussein Obama is an attack on the religious, political, and cultural foundation (and norms) of America.

This foundation can be traced back to the Puritan intelligentsia.  It was in this select group of sophisticated theologians that religion, politics, and racism meshed together to form a culture of domination and oppression for people of African descent.  Darren Staloff calls this political authority a “cultural domination.” Cultural domination is when a group uses two institutions—church and state—to transform cultural and theoretical power into social and political power. In other words, one dominating group claims to be in authority by God as exhibited through political domination. The foundation laid by the Puritans is and has been flawed since 1629. They desired power and not liberation from the religious oppression they endured in Europe.

Puritans used cultural domination to create a link between religion and politics which formed a theology of racism that was accepted by the dominant group and used to import, breed, and sustain a form of slavery that was previously unknown in the history of humankind. This theology of racism construct was the product of a Calvinist belief in sin and predestination. Puritans took Calvin’s predestination argument (that God created everything, set it in motion and stepped back and let life run its course) and ran with it when they came to America. They believed that humanity was created on a hierarchy and not everyone was equal (some were born to be rich, poor, slave, and free). Using their flawed theological understanding of sin, predestination, covenant, and creation and their lack of a clean heart while reading the bible, the Puritans, according to Paul E. Griffin, “twisted the four doctrines into a theology of racism they could use to define and defend their degradation of black people.” Under the assumption that Puritans were God’s chosen people and Africans were children under the curse of Adam and Noah this cultural domination took root and is still alive today. This theological compost is as much political as well. Judge John Saffin, a Puritan heavyweight, stated that Africans have no legal or divine “right to liberty and all outward comforts of this life” because God “ordained different degrees and orders of men, some to be High and Honorable, some to be Low and Despicable…yea, some born to be slaves, and so to remain during their lives.” This is from a judge (political position) who is speaking as though he was a theologian (religious position).  To ignore the realities in this statement is to deny that racism in America is built upon a religious and a political culture introduced by a colonist construct built for oppression. Puritan theology became the basis for an American or White cultural reality based on a false principle that Africans were inferior to anything white or “American.”

What does all of this have to do with Armageddon and Obama? To be this close to gaining the highest political position in the America, Obama represents Armageddon to those who erroneously believe that skin color is more important than qualifications, character, and intelligence. Obama’s position in the electoral process proves that the foundation the Puritans laid was not rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, but in the economy of greed and materialism. Therefore, the foundation is not solid. The Puritan spirit of assumptions based on skin color can be seen at every level of this electoral race to the White House and at every level of American society. Armageddon, according to one scholar, is God’s reversal of reproach his people suffered with the defeat of Josiah. It has nothing to do with the final battle between Good and Evil or God and Satan. It has everything to do with God making the mountains low and the crooked ways straight. It has everything to do with equality in an unequal land.

My friend who has to suffer daily to a co-worker who has a racist mentality rooted in this concept of predestination built on Puritan theology has found comfort in knowing that because the foundation is not firm—the house of oppression will not stand. This historical election is evidence of the crumbling of this house of oppression. Maybe it will even collapse completely now that Barack Obama has won the election. Only time will tell.

Books:
The Blackwell Companion to Protestantism
Edited by Alister Edgar McGrath, Darren C. Marks
ISBN: 0631232788
The Making of an American Thinking Class: Intellectuals and Intelligentsia in Puritan Massachusetts
By Darren Staloff
ISBN: 0195149823
Anchor Bible Dictionary
Edited by David Noel Freeman

Witnessing History and Honoring the Past

By Quincy Lewis

After five hours, 14 minutes and 32 seconds, I was finally handed a ballot. A ballot that could possibly change my life and the lives of millions of other Americans who took part in electing a new president some seven days ago. Emerging from the voting booth with ballot in hand, I couldn't do anything but smile. I was a part of history. A part of the struggle. The struggle that our elders find hard to forget. The struggle that small children might not yet understand.

Later on that night, I watched the ballot counting along with my family and most of America while complaining about how tired my feet were for standing so long earlier in the day trying to vote. Suddenly after a quick commercial a full screen shot of Obama was being shown as the winner of this year's election. With total disregard to my aching feet I jumped up and hugged my crying mother. She cried tears of joy as did most of the people who were being shown on television.

The tears were for joy of the promise of a new day. The tears were also for all of the ones who were detrimental to the movement of civil rights who lost their lives and freedom to ensure that we would be able to see something like this happen in our lifetime. You can honestly look your child in the eyes and tell him that he really can be anything he wants to be in life.

At that moment, I wished my grandparents were still alive. A grandfather who risked his life in World War II, only to come home to no job, no rights and a life full of discrimination and racism. A grandmother who used rear entrances and sat in the back of restaurants because blacks weren't allowed up front. This election was for them and those four little girls in that church in Birmingham who didn't even have a chance to live life. Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE.

America's Response to the Willie Lynch Letter

By Nickia Johnson

It has been said that in the year of 1712, Willie Lynch, a British slave owner in the West Indies, addressed a group of American slave owners on the bank of Virginia's James River on ways to "maintain" their slaves. Word had traveled all the way from the West Indies to Virginia about how he had masterminded an undeniable way to successfully mentally enslave the Negro mind. It is also said that there was a letter written by Lynch that contained instructions on how to use FEAR, DISTRUST and ENVY to maintain control over the slaves, and slave owners successfully did so for hundreds of years.

Many argue that this is a fictional letter and that African Americans have just derived this to explain the issues that plague the African-American community since it supposedly did not surface until the 90s. Whether the letter is real or not, it symbolically represents and realistically depicts how slave owners did use the tactics explained in the letter to strip a culture of their human rights and dignity. It depicts an America that was filled with hate and injustice during the time of slavery.

If you have not read the letter, please do so here.

Well, 296 years later, the country has moved forward from its infamous past, with the recent election of America's first African-American President and this is what I feel America would have to say to Mr. Lynch today:

Greetings Mr. Lynch:

America greets you here on the White House lawn in the year 2008, where just in a few weeks, my President Elect Barack Obama will be the first African-American to serve my fifty United States and the District of Columbia.

It has been a long time since we have last spoken and let me tell you, my friend, a lot has changed.

It is no secret that your "Willie Lynch Theory" deceived me and successfully enslaved and divided two races. Injustice, hate and death reeked havoc on my soil. I was torn and tattered, and for a long time, I allowed these injustices to continue to occur. I saw many lose their lives for insignificant reasons. I witnessed the enslavement and slayings of my beloved African-American citizens and the ignorant mindsets of those who abused and killed them. 

There were a few sparks of hope during those times like my beloved Harriett Tubman, who tried to get my attention, along with abolitionist Levi Coffman, a Caucasian and Quaker—who, in the glaciated plains of my state of Ohio—tried to show me the ways of God, but I turned my back.

And for that, I am truly sorry. There were countless others who I ignored, but I am thankful that our God did not, because their actions helped set me straight. It is only because of them that I stand strong today.

Then came a President, by the name of Abraham Lincoln who hailed from the prairie lands of my adored Illinois, and initiated my transformation to freedom for all of my citizens.  After a grueling
Civil War on my North and South states, President Lincoln, my 16th President, freed the slaves. I listened closely one day to my Virginia where my African-American citizens listened quietly under a large oak tree on the campus of Hampton University. I witnessed their happiness and their tears of joy penetrated my soil. I remember it like it was yesterday. I felt different. Like a change was coming, but I still had an awfully long way to go.

Years past, and your spirit of hate still managed to be caught up in my atmosphere, and you continued to block me from seeing what was right.  My states grew and flourished. I was mighty and strong, and was admired by the entire world.  My citizens fought for me both black and white alike in World War I and II.  They loved me and protected me, even those who I had mistreated and ignored.  But still, I was empty. There was a void, because my God still did not approve of my ways. Many of my citizens begged and pleaded with me like Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a peaceful man, eloquent in all his ways and he commanded my attention to help make me see that I was wrong. I listened. The truth hurt and I rebelled, but God in all His glory reprimanded me and allowed me to progress in the right direction. I cried the day they killed my beloved Dr. King and he will always be remembered as one of my greatest heroes.  It was a dark day for me. I saw the chaos that I allowed to happen in my lands and I wanted to make it right, so I fought, and I fought hard.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a law in 1964 called the 1964 Civil Rights Acts. I was on the right track. It was a law that I could not be discriminatory against my African-American citizens.
Then President John F. Kennedy solidified the deal for me and I saw the people of my land come together.  Many were on board, but there were also many that who did not like the new me. I cried the day they killed my beloved President Kennedy. A change had to come and it did, thank God!

So today, I write to you Mr. Lynch to inform you that your tactics are no longer holding me in captivity. Indeed your spirit tries to live on in many of my citizens, but the majority of my people have moved on.  America is one, and I will continue to make strides to do what is right for my people. And my people have responded with the election of the first ever African-American President Barack Obama!

Whites, blacks, Hispanic, Indian, Asian, Native Americans, or whoever, are welcomed here!  I will no longer allow hate to define who I am.

Those who live within me will be reprimanded for all acts of discrimination committed in my name. I will be the land of possibilities for all who live within me.  I will be an example to all other mighty nations. I will represent hope as I undoubtedly represent change. My citizens today joyfully chant, God Bless America, and I am eternally grateful that He has.

Respectfully Submitted,
The United States of America

Nickia Johnson is a freelance writer based out of Northern Virginia.

How to Celebrate an Obama Victory

By Crecilla Scott

Like many Americans, I awoke this morning with a strange mix of euphoria, gratitude, and disbelief.  To know that this country could transform and redeem itself--the same country that produced a savage form of involuntary servitude, strange fruit, and Jim Crow--is utterly amazing. To entrust the highest office in the land to a man who, in America’s darkest hours would not have been considered worthy of basic human dignity and respect, is nothing short of a miracle.  As I watched history unfold before my eyes the previous night, all I could do was try to imagine what my grandmother would think if she were still here. All I could do was try to imagine what Barack Obama’s grandparents would think if they were still here. I could not help but thank God for answering the prayers of so many people in such an extraordinary way. Then, true to form, I began thinking about how we should celebrate our victory.
We should celebrate an Obama victory by making a commitment to ourselves and to our children. African-American, low-income children perform one year or more behind their peers in reading and math. In some urban school districts, high school graduation rates for black males are as low as 37 percent. As we look forward to more funding for public education in an Obama presidency, we should also look in the mirror and commit to decreasing the achievement gap and increasing our overall academic achievement.  We must make our children’s education a priority.  We should celebrate an Obama victory by committing to watching less TV and using that time to invest in our families, our communities, and ourselves. We can work with President Obama to improve our circumstances by reading a book, spending more time with our families, attending church, volunteering, learning a new skill, going back to school, starting a business, or serving in the peace corps, etc.  We should celebrate an Obama victory by doing our part to decrease the number of single-parent households. While there are plenty of examples of outstanding Americans who have come from single-parent homes, it is important for children to have the benefit of both parents, if possible.  In the past, I have written about the high rate of single-parent households and the devastating impact it has on so many children’s economic well-being.  More than half (51 percent) of all Black children live in single-parent households. As a result, over 30 percent of all Black children live below poverty (compared to approximately 11 percent of white children). President Obama has said, wisely, that the government should not and cannot perform the role of “father” in households. As we look forward to a tax decrease for middle- and working-class families to help ease the economic burden, we should also make a concerted effort to give our children what they deserve – a two-parent household. We should celebrate an Obama victory by realizing that prayer, hard work, and preparation has met opportunity. We must position ourselves not only for the hard work, but also for the rewards that will follow. We cannot afford to let this opportunity slip through our fingers. Passive support will not do. Now that we have collectively spoken truth to power, we must be willing to be an equal partner in the heavy lifting that is required to turn our country around. The stakes are simply too high for anything less.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynching_in_the_United_States
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_5_20/ai_101413766
http://chicagobwinequalityworkshop.googlepages.com/dec2006hanushek-rivkin.pdf
http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/1016_education_mead_rotherham.aspx
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/59FamilyStructure.c

The Power of the Vote

By Kaye Guidugli

The power of my vote came into question on yesterday.

I woke up yesterday morning, ready. I walked to the polls, with anticipation. I saw the line before I saw the building and I sighed, thanking God that my boss insisted that we cast our ballot before coming to work no matter how long it took. I entered the building, I saw the machines, I read the signs outlining my voting rights and I smiled. I handed the election judge my voter registration card, I signed my name and I was lead to the next available machine. I entered the ballot card into the slot until I heard it click and my heart skipped a beat. I was exercising my right to vote!

An hour after casting my ballot, I began to have doubts. I began to doubt the power of my voice and the validity of my ballot. This is my third presidential election. This is the third time I have cast my ballot with high hopes. I am praying that it will not be my third disappointment. As I sat at my desk preparing my mind to receive the worst, I began to ask myself if voting was even worthwhile anymore. The possibilities were starting to seem finite and my mind darkened as I wondered if I was fooling myself by believing in America’s Electoral College.

Then I remembered the unexplainable joy I felt when I cast my ballot. I remembered the sense of pride and action that flowed through me as I entered each candidate for office, and responded to each Bond Issue. When I cast my ballot on yesterday, I took a stand. I took a stand for my country. I took a stand for my neighbors. I took a stand for my city. I took a stand for my belief system. I am an American. I believe in America. I support the American Dream. Families were separated and blood was shed so that I could stand on yesterday and vote. My ancestors crossed great waters plagued with fear and filled with great hope so that on yesterday I could vote my cousin into office.

My cousin who looks like me, my cousin who shares my history and shares my dreams for the future; I voted for my cousin yesterday. We may have no biological relation, but our common struggle seals our familial relationship. Our identical family pictures strengthen our bond. With similar upbringings, similar exposures, similar commitments, similar love and similar teachings from family who embraced us in spite of our color, my cousin and I know that it is our duty to serve those who cannot serve themselves.  My cousin and I know that it is our calling to take a stand and make tough decisions so that the principles of our nation can be upheld.  For many years I thought I was alone, for many years I thought my sentiments were unique until I heard a young man speak and it was as if he read my journals and had plagiarized my thoughts.

Yesterday, when I voted for Barack, I voted for my dreams. Regardless of what the outcome might have been, I would not have stopped serving. I would not have stopped believing. I would not have stopped fighting for change. And, I would not have stopped voting. We have come too far for me to give up now. It is unjust to refrain from doing right because of the presence of evil.  If anything we must make the effort to continue so that right can be contrasted against wrong and expose the path that leads to righteousness, the path that leads to equality, the path that leads to a new and just America.

Use your voice, always cast your ballot, fight for change.