The Right to Vote

As we steadily transition from one generation to another, it seems that a little more is lost on the present generation when it comes to the past. We, as Black Americans, should hold on to as much of our past as we can, because God wants us to know our history. There are those who wish to not know about our history or severely limit our history to just a few pages concerning our historical legacy. When God’s people made it to the Promised Land, He not only had them put in place a memorial of where they crossed into the land, but throughout their history, He told his people to not forget from where they had come. God reminded His people throughout the Old Testament and the New, of who He was/is and what kind of relationship they should have according to his ways, not theirs. One central theme never changed, and that was to always remember where they came from. In this nation, there are people whose immigration status began in countries thousands of miles from these shores when their ancestors came to these shores. They all came on ships to a new land full of hopes and dreams. All, except Black people. Black people’s history stands in stark contrast to lighter complexioned people who migrated here, as if we were supposed to be forgotten people. As Black people learn more and more about their history, it is incumbent that the present generation learns as much of our history in order to let the next generation know where we came from, the whole beginning. As this nation prepares to engage in the political process of voting leaders into office, the history of Black people and access to the vote, has been one of the most volatile periods in this nation’s history. This reporter spoke with Ms. Clydell Jones, a former educator and someone who is active in community and religious affairs, about some of the hurdles that Black people went through just to be able to vote. Jones knows the history of Monroe very well during the period of the early and mid-60s. In her own words, Jones said at that time, the Black community leaders realized the power of the vote. They voiced their concerns on the aspects of voting, as it was a powerful tool to make changes in the way laws were used in governing the citizens of Monroe. Not only in Monroe, but also the state of Louisiana, one of many southern states that exhibited racial practices against its Black citizens. Jones continued by saying, the leaders expressed the fact that every Black citizen of Monroe should become a registered voter. They all focused on the power of the ballot, that they felt it would bring attention to certain laws passed that were not beneficial to Black citizens. With these thoughts in mind, meetings were held in churches and individual homes to inform members of the community on how to register and vote. The movement was a success and people began registering to vote. They voted, as certain laws (Jim Crow) were questioned and changes had to be made. These actions caused great concern to the “‘powers that be” (white politicians/lawmakers), as they decided that things had to be put in place to slow down the sudden influx of Black people wanting to vote. With those thoughts in mind, certain mandates were put in place at the register’s office in an effort to keep Blacks from registering to vote. One of those mandates required that a Black person had to have proof of residency such as a utility bill or a statement from the homestead exemption office showing that they had ownership of property. Finally, one that was so demeaning to prospective Black voters, was that they had to “know and explain” the Preamble of the U.S., as it was written in the Constitution. Reporter’s note: if Critical Race Theory is ever taught widespread in this nation, this reporter would like to see any opponent of CRT point out in history, where a white voter applicant had to “know” the Preamble in order to vote. You won’t hear any of that.

Jones continued by saying, time passed and with the Civil Rights movement, voting became much easier, but not for all concerned. However, during the late 80s and 90s, the desire to vote began to fade. Most of the citizens of that era had begun to age and the young adults “seemed to have lost that zeal” to make a difference. So many of them have no idea of the sacrifices made by those gone before us. They were bold and stood up for their beliefs and rights as citizens of this nation, as their lives were in constant danger, with many losing their lives. We like to call it, “the ultimate sacrifice”, as they were heroes to millions of Black people. The sacrifices that they made, just as in generations past for (during/after slavery) civil rights, that this generation and generations to come, would have an equal chance for a better life. The battle is far from over, as recent court rulings at the federal level have eroded, turning back the clock to a time past, to where it seems that the state’s powers that be, have taken full advantage of conservative rulings from the Supreme Court. Those rulings have curtailed the right to vote through changes making it more difficult for people of color to vote. Why do you think that the first thing a president is asked is who will he/she appoint to the Supreme court? The stakes were high then and are even higher now. It’s all about power. Jones closed by saying, “no vote, no voice”. The Dispatch couldn’t agree more.