Interesting PSA by E. Taylor:
In the wake of the May 6, North Carolina Democratic State Primary, I figured I would do my due diligence to persuade voters to vote for whom I consider the most viable candidate to preside over our country. This is especially targeted to the African American community. To preface this story, I must first describe my political background or lack thereof.
Growing up in the rural south, I never knew much about politics at all. I will lay my ignorance at the hand of my surroundings and my family. The extent of my political knowledge was of the two political parties, Democrats and Republicans, and the roles I assumed they played in the country. Hearing my family converse, I always assumed the Republicans were evil and racist, and the Democrats were good and pro-black. While this may not be far off from the truth, this generalization is a one of ignorance at best. I can remember my mother explained the reason she did not vote was that she did not want jury duty or she believed her vote did not count. This sentiment, I feel, is shared among many African Americans in the south, keeping them away from the polls. A sentiment which is unacceptable and should be frowned upon.
Recently I have done my best to get more involved in politics and become more aware of how the country I live in is being governed. When I heard Senator Barack Obama was a candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, I instantly became interested in the race. I honestly had little prior knowledge about the senator, but the possiblity of having an African American run the country was a great feeling. Barack instantly had my vote on the basis of being a black man. Was basing my vote solely on the race of a candidate valid? Probably not, but upon further investigation by way of reading ariticles, listening to debates, and watching tv shows that analyze the politcial candidates and their idealogies, I realized my vote was well placed.
Recently in an interview with rapper The Game, he made the comment and I quote,
“If you Black and you don’t vote for Obama you just need to find a revolver spin that bitch and pop ‘til your noodles’ on the fukkin side of the bed man. That’s just a no brainer man.” I hate to admit it, but I will have to side with a rapper for once in my life. The statement could have been said much more intelligently; however, whether you take this argument figuratively or literally, I feel that it does have some validity.
Black leaders in the United States, from the days of slavery, until the Civil Rights era, have fought for African Americans and other minorities to be on an even playing ground with the rest of America. Within those battles, every citizen earned the right to vote for whomever they so choose. I do not want to condemn anyone or make them feel they can not freely choose who they want to run for president, but merely show you the opportunity you have to make history and put the first black male in the white house. I believe if we do not embark on this wonderful opportunity in front of us, we will not have another black person that will be able to contend for the position of Commander in Chief for another 50 years. Do not let this black leader, one who stands for CHANGE and making a better America, pass us by. If you do, maybe you should dig a hole, bury yourself!
