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One of my greatest concerns is that some youth have no interest in voting.
I always remembered what my father's late co-worker would say when people asked why you should vote.
He would respond abruptly, "I don't know, but if it was NOT IMPORTANT, they would not have KILLED my people behind it."
His quote stays in the forefront of my mind. Historically, African Americans have been disenfranchised.
But now that we can vote, some of us still do not.
According to a story in McClatchy Newspapers, African American voters could have a major impact on the outcome of this mid-term election.
In fact, their vote could detemine if the House and Senate stay Democrat-controlled or become Republican-controlled.
It is amazing how much of an impact the youth vote had in the 2008 presidential election.
Can we keep this momentum going?
The way we were so amped in that election is the same way we should be in all elections, whether it is at the local, state or national level.
One thing I've always tried to stress is that the local and state elections are just as important as the national election, if not more important.
OK, let's think about this: Where you live and the concerns that you have about your neighborhood or community are issues that you can address to your local politician.
Theoretically, how many of us can call up or speak to President Obama about issues going on in our residential areas?
Not to be funny, but he has bigger fish to fry.
This is why we have mayors, council members, governors, etc. People you can direct your concerns to. But how many of us actually do that?
The reason is that many of us — especially youth — have no particular interest in the local electoral process.
Some youth say it is too much to keep up with or they simply do not know what political candidates to vote for.
The fact is that we live in the "age of information," there is no excuse.
It's simple: Go to Google and type in the words "voter guide" and "Durham." You'll find conservative and liberal voter guides from people whose politiccal views you share.
For example, if you consider yourself a progressive you get the Independent Weekly's Take-Along Voting Guide.
I commonly hear some young people say, "Ain't nothing gonna change. Things will always be the same."
I would have to say things will always be the same as long as you continue to make such statements.
Do you think things are going to change if you do nothing?
Always remember: the people who have been elected are elected by us — the American people.
If it were not for citizens, there would not be these elected politicians in office. They need us.
It is our responsibility to hold them accountable for everything — the policies they set and how they spend our tax dollars.
Let us keep going forward, not backward. We do not want to be disenfranchised again, do we?
Please note: Every vote does count if you demand it too and be ACTIVE in whatever community you are in, even if it is not your hometown.
With that being said, come out Thurs., Oct. 21 during 10:40 a.m. break to the One-Stop Early Vote Rally on Brant Street, between Ruffin Hall and Eagle Landing.
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