Just 54 years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave Black people the right to vote, we have seen the election of the first Black President, but also the election of the world's biggest narcissist.
The 2016 Primary election showed us that Black voters are able to mobilize and make their voices heard. With lots of work on the ground, these change making organizations have made voting and politics more accessible to all, check them out. These organizations include Woke Vote, Black Voters Matter, The Poor People’s Campaign, The Black Future’s Lab and Color of Change just to name a few of my favs. 2016 also showed us that systematic racism is still very real, but we knew that. The "Trump Years" have shown us hatred, lies, and a lot of coonery. It has also reignited the importance of grassroots movements and voting in every election.
The 2018 Mid-term election gave us many favorable candidates. This is the first time that we have been able to see ourselves represented by those who look like us and live like us. They are made up of many different faiths, identities, and beliefs. More than ever, we are seeing the issues that affect us really be brought up in politics like housing, eduction, healthcare and climate change. Representatives like Auntie Maxine, Ayanna Pressley, and AOC have shown us what it looks like to step on necks and not let up. They have shown us what we knew, that Black and Brown girls make shit happen.
With the 2020 elections coming up and more and more new voters entering the voting waters, we must get out the damn vote. First things first, are you registered to vote? If you’ve recently made a move or just want to be sure that you are register you can check your voter registration at these websites Vote.org, Turbo Vote, and HeadCount.org. One of my favorite sites is Vote.org, where you can check your voter registration, find absentee ballot info and deadlines, sign up for notifications, and find your polling place all in one place. You may register to vote either in person or online.
You may be wondering well who the hell is running? I use these sites ( Ballotpedia, Politico, and CNN) to give me general info on the upcoming 2020 Presidential candidates. There is nothing worse than getting to election day and not knowing who you’re voting for and at least a few reasons supporting it. Remember 2016. I try to use more than one source and compile the info to form some opinions.
If you are eligible to vote in the United States, I urge you to use your right. I’m calling out everyone, we need your vote, your input. Voter engagement is how we see political change, it’s how we see abortion bans and education bills come to life. By not voting, not only are the ancestors giving you the side-eye, but you also are allowing a majority of old-ass white men to dictate your life and the life for generations to come.
Assata Shakur says it best,
It is our duty to fight for freedom
It is our duty to win
We must love and protect each other
We have nothing to lose but our chains.
GOTDV,
Teryn Denae ✊🏿
