As yet another Election Day is upon us, I can’t help but wonder: how many people will be heading or marching to the polls with a clear(headed) agenda? How many will be voting with their HEARTS and not with their fears? And for all the millions that do vote, just what issues will they be basing their vote upon?
Considering the history of Black people and People of Color in this Country, for anyone to NOT exercise the right to vote is tantamount to a slap in the face to all those who struggled, fought, even lost their lives to see that we were afforded this basic Constitutional right!
I hope people will take that history and that struggle into consideration, and bring it right along with them into their voting booth. I hope people will vote with the truth of their hearts, and the voice of their conscience. With all the political hype and hoopla, it is far from being a perfect system, yet it remains (a small) way for us to send our voices directly to those who are supposed to represent us and our needs. This can not be ignored!
It's rare for me to use a video to make a point within the confines of this blog. However, this particular one reveals so much Truth that it seemed appropriate to include it here. It's a compelling look at America. It’s the America far too many people know by heart. It’s also the America some never see, and others never bother to consider.
There’s a line from Stevie Wonder’s Big Brother that reads:
“I Live In The Ghetto. You Just Come To Visit Me, ‘Round Election Time.”
Indeed. Maybe that’s the Real TRUTH of politics.
Watch this video, and I DARE you not to feel something!
"Big Brother" ( By Stevie Wonder)
“Your name is big brother
You say that you're watching me on the telly,
Seeing me go nowhere,
Your name is big brother,
You say that you're tired of me protesting,
Children dying everyday,
My name is nobody
But I can't wait to see your face inside my door
Your name is big brother
You say that you got me all in your notebook,
Writing it down everyday,
Your name is I'll see ya,
I'll change if you vote me in as the pres,
The President of your soul
I live in the ghetto,
You just come to visit me 'round election time
I live in the ghetto,
Someday I will move on my feet to the other side,
My name is secluded,
we live in a house the size of a matchbox,
Roaches live with us wall to wall,
You've killed all our leaders,
I don't even have to do nothin' to you
You'll cause your own country to fall!”
*Mad props to the talented artist/visionary “Rizashi” for putting together this compelling video.
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19 comments:
A very compelling video matched with song. So much has changed, but then again, nothing has changed.
Certainly something to think about.
I vote in every election. I have ever since I was 18 and eligible to vote. Most of the time that I've voted, I've voted for the lesser of two evils. It would be nice to go to the polls and feel better about who I was voting for. It would be very nice to go to the polls and vote for someone and not against someone.
Yes indeedy. If ya sleep and you will weep when it comes to voting.
Voting has become complicated as both Party's take the Black vote for granted. Hopefully a viable third Party will come along soon. In the meantime it's voting for the one who will do the least harm.
I think the voting apprehension in the AA community comes from confusion, disappointment and betrayal.
I believe we should vote based on the reason you stated, our ancestors bled for us to have this right.
Good write Brotha Pen!
I feel you here...I came to check you out from Jason's blog...
My friend- My friend- As a girl from the Deep South- I will admit not looking at the video- THe picture of the burning cross and those who call themselves men standing beside it was enough to make me not want to watch-
I have to say that I'm proud that I'm from a family who never supported or encouraged any type of mistreating of ANY human being regardless of who they are. It sickens me that back then and even today that such ignorance exists.
I do believe we should all vote- and while I'm not sure that we are on the same sides of the political fence that doesn't matter to me. The important thing is that we have this freedom as Americans and that we exercise it. So many other countries and cultures don't have this right.
I love you my friend :) *hugs* xxx
The video is WOW- I came back to watch.. xxx
I love Mr. Wonder and the person who did the video did an awesome job.
I love you Lin. I am sickened by what's happening in our country right now and the fighting that is going on. I think the newly elected have made promises they cannot keep and I want to see them wave their magic wands and change all the problems now that they have been elected. Lets see it Rednecks.
@ Miz:
So true! Change is often a slow process. Sometimes it may be more visual than it is visceral.
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@ Reggie:
I agree. So many times it's not about being excited over a particular candidate, but more a duty to see that some other candidate DOESN'T get elected.
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@ Curvy:
Sadly, far too many people still sleep on the elections, forgetting the sacrifices others made just so they might HAVE that right!
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@ Val:
Ain't it the truth! No politician should feel free to take ANY groups vote for granted. People need to wake up & start voting w/ their conscience!
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@ Jason:
Sadly, it doesn't take much to disapoint some voters. If it happens once, some see that as a reason to become apathetic & then to never vote again! Crazy thinking! Change doesn't happen over night!
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@ JStar:
Thanks for rolling thru. (smiles)
Hope you won't be a stranger.
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@ Wizzy,
My friend, I think I've known you long enough to know your HEART! It's a beautiful heart & I'm proud to know you!
BTW: The video isn't about lynching, but rather the many injustices that make up the American fabric.
I'm glad you can back & gave it a wiewing.
Also: As I stated in this entry, the video was put together by a talented artist named, “Rizashi.”
SJ, My Wiz-Woman!
;-)
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@ Greeneyes:
I love you too, my friend. You've been missed. I agree w/ your statement. Now that they've been given yet another opportunity, let's see what THEY will do. Recent History reveals: NOT a damn thing, at least not where it's truly needed!
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I was very disappointed in the election turn out! Ga had posed a plan to get more truama centers here. We have only one that houses the entire north ga...the long stretch of road interstate 75 south going into florida is considered the corridor of death because there are NO trauma centers in the nearing area. It would've only been 10.00 a year tacted on to hospital parking. Thats about the amount of a cup of morning coffee. Do you know they said NO!! I was sooo NOT happy with Ga..the fact that whites and blacks are at a peace/comfort with the confederate flag on trucks and in red neckville...but this took the cake! Not to mention the ONE trauma center almost closed down due to finances. I'm ready to move back north!!!! smh......
@ Tia:
That's shameful! Seriously. What is wrong with the heart & souls of the leaders & legislators of a state that they could deny the construction of a facility whose core purpose is to insure the betterment, health and well-being of its citizens? That's just sad, shameful & sick!
I might have to start packing my bags, if I were you.
Thanks for sharing.
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