Billy Wayne
Columnist

Sometimes there are issues occurring which are so heated and outrageous until one could question the sanity of a nation. Such could be the case in the recent voting laws changes or proposed changes in many states. How does a free, democratic nation reach the point to where certain states of these United States become “untied”? The answer could very well lie in the fact that recognizing the reality of racism for some took too long. I do not view myself as racist. Yet I can recognize racism.

The “push” to overhaul and/or amend voting laws in some states is only the latest in a series of post-presidential election “get-even” attempts. I recall growing up during the civil rights years. Some of the things I see and hear today I saw and heard back then. Minorities, especially blacks, have always been subjected to tricks, trickery and tricksters in efforts to suppress the vote. So, this is not our first rodeo. The key to addressing these voter-suppression dilemmas has been to vote “anyhow.” The more the suppression attempts, the stronger the commitment to vote became. Voting requires commitment and sacrifice. I watched as my parents and other community adults endured long lines, “growling stomachs,” after-work fatigue and even some physical hostility moments in order to cast their vote(s). Transportation to the polls would be provided by clergy and community “well-to-doers.” Voting was not viewed as an option for us but a survival necessity. Which is why we got up, we got out, and we got our vote(s) casted. Candidates of that day realized that the “colored/Negro” of that day was serious about our right to vote. Candidates were held to a much stronger accountability than they are today. I believe that this same kind of commitment, organization and proactiveness will work in local, state and national elections today.

Laws are made by politicians. Politicians are elected by the people. If blacks are tired of the changing laws and amendments which appear to be “voter suppression,” “un-elect” those whose “slips” are showing. They pulled up their slips long enough to get elected. Now, we see they are half-dressed. For many of us today, we recognize the reality of racism in many of these slip-showing officials. Vote ’em out!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE April 2 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.