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Editorial
Editorial Archives
Friday, November 19, 2004; Page 20
The Start Line
As when the National Park Service said that the Million Man March brought out an estimated 400,000 individuals and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan insisted that it drew over 1 million, African Americans cannot be deceived into thinking that Democrats and Blacks failed the country. As one local radio personality said, “We did our job; they were the ones that messed up.” But it is not time to put this issue behind us. We have now approached the start line and the finish line doesn’t await us until November 2, 2008.
As Russell Simmons said in relation to the 2000 presidential election, “Just because they threw our vote away in the garbage doesn’t mean we stop voting.” He added, “I don’t want to be written off but I don’t want to be taken for granted either. It’s your karma that goes with your tax dollars.” We must insure that we elect our leaders on Election Day rather than having our leaders announced to us the morning after.
Don’t wait until the presidential debates begin to begin learning about the politicians that seem to be the topic of conversation. Ask yourself if those that are being asked to represent you have an agenda that includes you in the makeup of this country. If your reality is that of poverty and the urban plight, then a leader whose entire political career is void of such issues is not one that should be able to sway your vote in four years and especially not in the last few months or weeks of the election.
At the start line, we must recognize that we are working with a clean slate, which means that we are capable of doing some great things. Are politicians emerging from our neighborhoods that could stand a chance on the campaign trail? Are our leading organizations and are we, as individuals, blazing a trail that will make those candidates viable options by providing not only the verbal endorsements but the financial endorsements as well?
Time is ticking Black America. On your mark, get set, go! We only have four years left. |
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