Thuso
March 27th, 2006, 07:47 PM
Comments on the Introductory Essay by Wade Henderson*
"The notion of democracy is familiar yet still not a reality for the majority of African Americans. Many members of the black community are increasingly disenfranchised and alienated from the electoral and legislative prosesses. It is crucial for our survival as a people to take back the right to vote for all citizens. With education, empowerment activities, and leadership training, we can uplift all African Americans, young and old, male and female, felons and free citizens." This very sobering reality is the crux of this essay by Wade Henderson.
He captures the real frustration of many African American and minority voters with these obervations: "Real democracy means the ability of minority voters to cast an "effective" ballot. What good is the right to cast a ballot, if the district in which you live is so racially gerrymandered that your candidate of choice will never have a chance to win? What good is the right to cast a ballot, if your polling place has been moved to an inaccessible location for the minority community? What good is the right to cast a ballot, when the electoral system has been rigged against you?"
All of us can take steps toward effective participation in our democratic processes. Here are some recommendations from The Covenant for every individual:
Register to vote, and then make sure to vote in all elections.
Teach children about the importance of voting by introducing them to the civil rights struggle to earn the right to vote.
Support all legislation to promote and ensure civil rights for all, including:
- The reauthorization and strengthening of the Voting Rights Act;
- A constitutional amendment to secure a federal right to vote of ex-felons; and
- Efforts to secure voting rights for all residents of the District of Columbia.
Most of all, The Covenant recommends: "Hold all leaders and elected officials responsible and demand that they change current policy."
The Covenant helps lay out the moral and political imperative to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. Read about this critical battle for our future, and help everyone you know to register, vote, and demand support of renewal.
*Copyright The Covenant with Black America. Purchase your copy of The Covenant at iZania Market (http://www.izaniamarket.com/auctiondetails.php?id=102806&PHPSESSID=31f9891a1831002811ac6a862f0543d7).
"The notion of democracy is familiar yet still not a reality for the majority of African Americans. Many members of the black community are increasingly disenfranchised and alienated from the electoral and legislative prosesses. It is crucial for our survival as a people to take back the right to vote for all citizens. With education, empowerment activities, and leadership training, we can uplift all African Americans, young and old, male and female, felons and free citizens." This very sobering reality is the crux of this essay by Wade Henderson.
He captures the real frustration of many African American and minority voters with these obervations: "Real democracy means the ability of minority voters to cast an "effective" ballot. What good is the right to cast a ballot, if the district in which you live is so racially gerrymandered that your candidate of choice will never have a chance to win? What good is the right to cast a ballot, if your polling place has been moved to an inaccessible location for the minority community? What good is the right to cast a ballot, when the electoral system has been rigged against you?"
All of us can take steps toward effective participation in our democratic processes. Here are some recommendations from The Covenant for every individual:
Register to vote, and then make sure to vote in all elections.
Teach children about the importance of voting by introducing them to the civil rights struggle to earn the right to vote.
Support all legislation to promote and ensure civil rights for all, including:
- The reauthorization and strengthening of the Voting Rights Act;
- A constitutional amendment to secure a federal right to vote of ex-felons; and
- Efforts to secure voting rights for all residents of the District of Columbia.
Most of all, The Covenant recommends: "Hold all leaders and elected officials responsible and demand that they change current policy."
The Covenant helps lay out the moral and political imperative to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. Read about this critical battle for our future, and help everyone you know to register, vote, and demand support of renewal.
*Copyright The Covenant with Black America. Purchase your copy of The Covenant at iZania Market (http://www.izaniamarket.com/auctiondetails.php?id=102806&PHPSESSID=31f9891a1831002811ac6a862f0543d7).