African American Voter Turnout Essential to Election Outcome

By Alice A. Huffman
State President of the NAACP

The question is, can we collectively, through the ballot box, protect ourselves and our future in America? There are several theories that most of us will repeat. One is “our vote doesn’t count.” Another is, “we had better play both camps so that we can be heard and respected in each major party.”

Many of us use the cliché that our vote doesn’t count simply as an excuse because we don’t want to do the work to become an informed voter. The second theory of spreading our political power rather than concentrating it defies the laws of gravity. Everyone knows that the more weight you place on something the heavier its impact. So yes, we can collectively protect ourselves by voting for candidates that respect and want us by voting for issues that are essential to the health and welfare of the African American community.

As you make your decisions ask these questions:

1. Which candidates will give resources to urban public schools and oppose vouchers?
2. Which candidates will make jobs in our community and develop economic prosperity at home?
3. Which candidates will work for ending discrimination in sentencing and support needed prison reforms?
4. Which candidate will work for peace in the world through diplomacy?
5. Which candidates will work for universal health care?
6. Which candidates will work for diversity and access to higher education institutions?

Don’t let issues that are not relevant to this election pull you off our agenda. Let us make our own determination about the candidates and then let’s collectively go to the polls and vote in our own interest.