Black Voters Alert: Don’t Let Anyone Break Your Spirit


Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

Once again, it is worth emphasizing that Black Americans have a serious vested interest in the outcome of the 2010 midterm elections. The Black press, in particular, has to continue to help wake up the masses of African Americans to make sure that we have the largest possible voter turnout on or before November 2, 2010.

Beware of the playa haters and the spirit killers. Don’t believe the hype that a majority in our communities are not enthusiastic about voting, and therefore will not vote because of some misguided notion that this election is really not that important.

In our long struggle for freedom, justice, and equality, there have always been attempts to make some of us believe that there are just too many obstacles in our path or life journey and, as such, we should just throw in the towel, give up, and quit fighting for freedom and empowerment. Some national pundits, most on the conservative right, are overjoyed about their predictions that Black Americans are apathetic and emotionless about the Obama Administration and who no longer see a need for civil rights and racial justice concerns as priority issues. I think we have more reasons to go out and vote today than ever before. Take the issue of the need for a better quality education of our children. That issue alone should necessitate the responsible action of millions of African Americans to vote for educational reform on November 2, 2010.

I agree with my longtime colleague, Kevin Chavous, Chairman of the Black Alliance for Educational Options. Chavous recently stated, “By now I’m sure you heard the academic achievement gap between White children and children of color has grown to the point that by the fourth grade, Black and Latino children are, on average, three academic years behind their White counterparts.” Chavous rightly has called for a “Revolution in Education” led by Black parents and others who really care about the future of our children’s education in America. Another timely shot in that “revolution” ought to be fired by millions and millions of Black people who should defy the so-called popular belief in Black apathy.

The whole purpose of this alert is to encourage you to not let anyone or anything break your spirit.

African Americans have had hard times before now. But, we refused to give in to oppression and discrimination. We refused to allow others to define our realities and our dreams and aspirations. Yet, when it comes to the quality of life and the education of our children, we should never compromise. Voting for us was a hard fought civil right. But voting is also a present day responsibility.

Let no one stand in your way to prevent you from voting. Keep your spirit strong! Let’s vote for a better future for our children’s education and development. Let’s vote for a better America, not a backward nation. We need a spiritual revival not just for ourselves, but for all.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr is

Senior Advisor to the Black

Alliance for Educational Options

(BAEO) and President of

Education Online Services

Corporation.


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