Mid-term elections are quickly approaching, and the conversation surrounding voter suppression continues to become more and more heated. Rather than continuously focusing on “voter suppression”, particularly across Black communities, why don’t we turn the discussion to voter education? Let’s educate fellow American citizens about their local and state laws – be proactive!
“So long as I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to vote I do not possess myself. I cannot make up my mind – it is made up for me. I cannot live as a democratic citizen, observing the laws I have helped to enact – I can only submit to the edict of others.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
With privilege comes responsibility, embrace the privilege. Inaction to vote and/or failing to educate oneself on voter registration guidelines is suppressing your own vote. We must have a personal outreach and education compass inside all of us, so we can help and inform others – our parents, youth, veterans, and elderly community members.
There are millions of eligible voters in our country who decide not to vote. Doing so completely removes a key pillar of our country’s government of, for, and by the people.
It is our personal responsibility to regularly update our personal information, cast absentee ballots when necessary, be registered, and vote! Be prepared! If you are seeking guidance related to voting and elections, those resources can be found here.
By: Omari Faulkner
Service is Essential. To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected.
Being a professor allows me to share what knowledge I have with others. It is also an opportunity for me to continue to learn because I firmly believe that by teaching we better understand what we are teaching and we also learn from those we teach.
I connect with people. Whether large or small, the power in speaking is being able to connect. We are more alike than we are different, and as a public speaker I look to tap into that connection.