No matter what cable news talking heads or political pundits say, Whiteness, or more specifically, the tangible manifestations of the myth of white supremacy (including White privilege) is on the ballot this November. As a powerful preacher shared in a recent powerful sermon, Donald Trump has tapped into the white angst and fear that the world (and all its people and resources) they were taught as children belonged to them is in danger of being “stolen” by dangerous, inhuman, undeserving Black and Brown people.
Trump and his cult want to “take retribution and revenge” on people who haven’t done anything to him and his kind. And he has promised violence, long sentences, and punishments for Black and Brown people who have done nothing but live and vote and work.
But to those who believe every inch of America was and is solely a white birthright, Black and Brown people living, voting and working are considered public enemies… menaces to society.
One powerful tool Black and Brown folk (and others who recognize and honor Black and Brown humanity) can use is the vote. However, some of us contend voting is stupid. Well, here are five stupid reasons these non-voters use to justify not voting.
“Both parties are the same”
I recently heard an analogy that dispels this myth that both parties are the same. Rats and squirrels are both rodents. But just because they’re “the same” doesn’t mean they’re “the same.” One does little or no harm and poses even less of a threat to the welfare of people. The other carries diseases (rabies, etc.) and has been known to attack children and pets. The same. But absolutely not the same. Democrats, for whatever flaws they have, fight for those issues Blackfolk have said time and again matter most to us. Republicans take the exact opposite stance—supporting voter suppression, criminalizing Black history, over-policing and over-incarcerating Black bodies, “thoughts and prayers” and NRA profits over common sense gun control, taking away a woman’s right to say what happens to her own body, etc.
“My vote won’t make a difference”
Tell that nonsense to the Black businesses that receive much-needed support or the schools that get extra funding for after-school programs or money to hire additional staff or the seniors who gain access to medicines and services that were once unavailable. Votes direct dollars and resources to the communities that vote. Those dollars and those resources go to other communities when the people in your community don’t vote.
“I don’t want men telling me what I can and can’t do with my body”
On the day of the debate between VP Kamala Harris and the 34-time convicted felon, everyone I encountered got the same question from me: “Are you watching the debate tonight?” One sister said, “No,” and I had to ask why. Her reason: she wasn’t going to vote anyway, so why watch? Of course, I had to inquire, “Why aren’t you voting?” Her response stunned me. “Because I don’t think some man should be telling me what I can and can’t do with my body.” As calmly as I could, I explained that is exactly why you should be voting. One political party (the Democrats) is fighting so women can have agency and control over their own bodies and their own healthcare. The other party (the Republicans) destroyed Roe v. Wade and want to outlaw IVF and birth control, thereby literally making it illegal for women to choose their own healthcare options.
“Voting ain’t never made a difference in my community”
That same sister said she doesn’t vote because none of the folks in office ever brought money to her community. And we can just look at her community (Third Ward) as a local example of what happens all across the country. The money various elected officials fought for and delivered to Third Ward educational institutions, businesses, community centers, and residents (homeowners and renters) just in the past few years exceeds hundreds of millions of dollars. SHAPE Community Center, TSU, UH, the Emancipation Economic Development Council, and countless other entities have received funding that has improved the quality of life for Third Ward residents and all who visit that community. Being ignorant of the work elected officials (especially those looking out for Black and Brown people) do to uplift and empower their communities doesn’t mean they’re not doing the work. Nine times out of 10, it just means you probably haven’t been paying attention.
“There are no candidates that excite me or that I believe in fully”
When you’re voting, you’re not getting married. You’re choosing the person who will put you in the best position to access the things most important to you. No candidate on the planet will check all your boxes on every issue. It’s not about waiting to find a candidate that “excites” you. You’ve got to find one who is working for most of the things critical to you, and who is standing against those who want to end you; those who want to throw your family members under the jail; those who want to take scholarship opportunities away from you and yours; those who want to use your tax dollars to pay for their wealthy kids’ private schooling while they underfund your children’s schools. Not voting because you haven’t found the “love of your life” is irresponsible. When you vote, you’re not marrying a candidate, you’re playing chess and supporting the person or party that will allow you to make the moves necessary for a better life for you and your peeps.