Emotions ran high in this election, where there was so much at stake for America –
the economy, immigration, reproductive rights, the cost of food, and the list goes on. And as with any race (to 270 electoral votes), there will always be millions of people across the nation feeling blue as the outcome unravels. The feeling of anxiety and stress before, during, and especially in the aftermath of the election is a reality that gropes and confronts the voters who hope for a different result.
Since the country’s founding, various communities have fought tenaciously for the right to vote—one of the most significant outcomes of the civil rights legislation in U.S. history. The Voting Rights Act was signed into law by former President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Based on the outcome of the 2024 election, there could be changes that will limit the political participation of certain communities, which will discourage community participation in both the census and voter engagement.
The voting rights of ordinary men and women to determine their own political future was not always an option. Their loss centuries ago paved the way for our rights to vote today! They paid an unconscionable debt for their resilience. When you think about the facts and circumstances of their day-to-day experiences and quest for freedom, it makes you wonder. How could the ancestors imagine a tomorrow bearing in mind the darkness they survived within?
Where do we go from here? In the words of one of the greatest political commentators and a James Baldwin scholar, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. ─ “America changes all the time without changing at all.” In asking yourself what do we do next, I would like to share a little soul food for thought. Give honor to our ancestors who lost their lives in the struggle but held on to their integrity. One way to honor their quest for freedom is to continue to fight for equity, a better future for our children, and a healthy democracy for the nation. Whatever you do ─ never give up!
Voting is a basic right, a powerful tool, and a civic responsibility. Communities have earned the right to vote and participate in the political process. The price was paid centuries ago. Voting shapes the path of our nation and your vote is your word that needs to be heard and recognized. In 1962, American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin said ─ “Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Honor those who came before us. They faced death due to the attempt and effort to have a say in the political process.
Whatever you choose— to do ─ be an informed voter. Exercise your rights and encourage your family, friends, co-workers, church members, and others to do the same. We cannot afford the luxury of letting others plan and/or decide for us and our families what the future holds without our voices being heard. And, if the outcome is not what we hoped for it is not because we did not participate in the process. No matter what you hear about, what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your right to vote. After all, the policies shaped by elected officials affect your life.
“Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world,” —Roald Dahl
This is the message we need. Underneath it all is awareness of and concern for the health and well-being of all communities. The road to wellness requires the engagement and participation of all citizens in the democratic process we have, as you have reminded us in such a scholarly way. Thank you Dr. Edwards and Dr. Lindong for helping to center us on what matters most.