Vote or Neglect Your Duty

It's Hard Times During Corona

In the midst of this Corona Virus there are a lot of people struggling. There are a lot of people out of work or with shortened hours and in need of help in paying bills or just getting food and other necessities. Mutual aid funds where you can volunteer to exchange services or resources for mutual benefit are great resources for anyone in need during this time. In the state of Massachusetts we have the Human Network Initiative, The Asian American Resource Workshop, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Group and Covid-19 Greater Boston.

Attention; Gays, Women, Blacks & Hispanics

Do something! If there was ever a time to vote as a gay, as a woman, as a Black, as a Hispanic the time is now. In a world with Donald Trump as president who is against us all and associated with the Ku Klux Klan and commands confederates to standby, there is no hope for progress. We are at a loss when the leader of the United States condones hate crimes. Trump doesn’t follow CDC mask guidelines and has proven to be a racist misogynist who clearly dislikes immigrants and has nothing to offer besides foolish tweets. Every vote counts. Racism is an aspect of life I want to remove for all future generations.

Story Time: First Racist Experience

I was fifteen. Racism smacked me in the noggin. I had to go to a METCO school with predominantly Whites because public school education was awful and there was a lot of fighting and violence. It was springtime the end of my sophomore year at Lincoln Sudbury High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts. It was before Barack Obama became president in 2009. I was walking down the hallways of B building where my locker was to get my books. I was preparing for the last two classes of the day. The bell had just rung and everyone was wild as usual, excited to get out of school and enjoy the sun. There was a boy named Mike and his friend Josh with two other boys. After I had approached my locker they passed by pointing and laughing. I had just detached the newspaper that had been taped t my locker specifically. The newspaper had Obama’s face on the front of it. There had been two red horns, a red devil tail coming from his back and the words “Devil" and then the "N" word at the top. This was just one of my racist encounters I cannot forget. They would say things like, “could you show me how to Soulja Boy your black so you must know how to?” I would get white girls asking in shock “is that your real hair?” They would mimic how I talked and my friend, who had a strong Spanish accent as well. My culture and race became their infinite joke. One thing they did that really vexed me was assume the only two black people in the room knew each other followed by “you’re black right you guys must know each other.” Often my head was a Chia Pet or petting zoo. Even in my senior year the ignorance and racist comments and behaviors did not stop. I don’t want my little sister or any of the teenagers in my family to have to deal with such racism and ignorance. This is why I vote.

The Divide Within The Race

Divide and conquer is an effective tactic used to oppress and take over a group. It is a form of psychological warfare that was used originally by Julius Caesar then later by slave masters dividing minorities by light skin and dark skin. It astonishes me how dead slave masters have divided the Black and Hispanic communities till this very day based on light and dark skin. The house slave and the field slave. Though both are slaves often the field slaves are dark skin while the house slaves are light skin. It has been said that the slaves with the lighter skin stayed in the house were treated better. Many people though were not born into slavery have a slave mentality trying to please the “White Man” and disrespect or belittle their people in doing so or believing that the lighter the skin the more superior you are to the others within that race. Physical slavery has ended but equality; justice and retribution have not been served. Women and gay rights and the equality of minorities have progressed but are nowhere where it should be. Voting and paying attention to the politicians who support women and gay rights and are against racism are the politicians we need to elect for office. The more of us that vote for change the higher the chances we have of gaining equality, justice and retribution. Let’s not let our skin tone divide us. We are stronger as a nation, together.

It Takes One Baby

It only takes one to make a difference. You could be the one vote that tips the scales in our favor. It is okay to disagree but this hate is not okay. It is like a virus and the only antibody is acceptance. You don’t have to love someone just because you don’t hate them you just have to accept them and their differences. American music, movies and TV shows has taught that different is bad. Conformity is bad. When everyone copies or imitates another human being simply because they have fame and cannot think for him or herself that is what should be frowned upon and looked upon as bad.

Non-discriminating Leadership

Drastic change is needed in the schools, the hospitals, the clinics, Police force, the CIA, courts, law offices, the jails, the prisons, military forces, the government and the law. We need a president, congress, government and system that understand and support positive change and racial justice. The issue is that we are trying to change the world without changing its idols and leadership to demonstrate the change we want to see. The action I take beyond my vote is demonstrating the change I want to see in my actions. I do this by petitioning for unjust law changes, boycotting businesses that are racist, misogynistic and or homophobic, joining protests, volunteering and donating to organizations for equality and justice.

Organizations Having a Positive Impact

A few organizations you should take the time to check out and donate to for positive change that I believe in are; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Race Forward, One America, Association for Women’s Rights in Development, National Organization For Women, Human Rights Campaign and LAMBDA Legal. The first three organizations support racial justice and civil rights, the next two supports women’s rights and the last two support rights for lesbians and gays.

Educate Yourself And Vote

Knowledge is power like the hammer of Thor. Taking time to learn about sexualities, injustices, race and gender inequalities, oppression, terms of relevance, history and ways to combat systematic racism are great first steps. Once you learn then you can act. Voting against oppressors of minorities, women and gays is the number one way to show that you stand with us. If you are seeking more voter information Vote411.org is a great site that gives you personalized voter information about registering to vote, your ballot, vote by mail or finding a poll near you and access to debates to get more engaged in knowing which candidates you gravitate more towards. Once you have taken initiative by voting then you can encourage and help your family and friends to do the same. I have! The amount of people who have said “there is no point they are all bull **** politicians anyway” and refuse to vote is insane. Even if you do feel this way it’s always best to have a say and at least choose the lesser of two evils. Please vote…if you don’t and you are eligible you are neglecting your duty and privilege to do so. It only takes ten minutes of your time. Remember silence is a part of the problem not the solution.