Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 8-12-16 Online Edition

Local
Residents Sound Off About ‘What Will It Take To Make You Vote?
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On August 6, 1965, Presi- dent Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voter Rights Act into law. It has been 51 years since the act was signed into law. However, hundreds of African Americans who can vote do not exercise this right.
The Sentinel asked sev- eral people the following ques- tion: “What do you think it will take to make the younger gen- eration realize the sacrifices made and the importance of voting?”
Dr. Samuel Wright said, Fannie Lou Hamer once cried, ‘I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.’ She was fed up with not being able to vote and to enjoy privileges that whites and others had. She was of the opinion that we could pray until the return of our Savior, but if we didn't get up and champion our causes, it all would be useless.
“By saying that, I am of the opinion that some our rights may have to be revoked or the country could elect a racist dic- tator before we all see the light. Some people don't realize that government is run by people we elect. If they are sinister or evil, the remainder of us can catch "pure hell." Though these sentiments are some- what extreme, I am of the opinion that we can elect someone just the opposite of President Barack Obama and the American youth would be able to discern the differ- ence.”
Ross Anderson said, “This generation is more reac- tive then proactive. So, to an- swer the question, it’s going to take a MAJOR injustice out- side of some of the injustices we are currently facing today in order for them to really ban together and get out and vote.
“Hopefully it will not be too late and we don't repeat his- tory trying to figure out who is worth 3/5 of a man so we can be counted!”
Ronnie Moorer said, “Education is the key! There is a series of videos called the “Eyes On The Prize,” which shows in detail the struggles and sacrifices our foreparents made to get them the freedom in Civil Rights and voting rights they have now. Even today, how we, as a people, are still being treated in jobs, edu- cation etc.
“The politicians who we elect can make laws to advance or hinder our progress. Let them see and hear what Don- ald Trump is saying how he would run this country! That alone should make them to want to vote for a better fu- ture.”
Danny Green said, “I think everyone should get out and exercise their right to vote. If they don't, they shouldn't complain about the rules and laws especially, Black Ameri- cans.
“Our ancestors fought too hard and gave their lives for us
Civil Rights Movement be- cause we not only fell in love with the thought of unifying ourselves for a common cause
against a common adversary, but we also realized that its risks and consequences were far greater than life itself.’”
MS. SHERNA RICH
ROSS ANDERSON
DR. SAMUEL WRIGHT
LIFE MALCOLM
RONNIE MOORER
DANNY GREEN
to have the right to vote. The reason is, they don't teach it in school and show the younger people how we fought for the right to vote. So I think young people need to get out there and vote to secure their fu- ture.”
LIFE Malcolm said, “Many people don’t vote at the ballot box because there is lit- tle evidence that type of voting guarantees the voters more than a sticker. Young people have seen the election of De- mocrats and Black officials in offices like the U. S. President and U. S. Attorney General, nationally, and County Com- mission and City Council lo- cally, yet have seen little or no beneficial transformation in our communities.
“Young people, like Micah Xavier Johnson, are mak-
ing sacrifices and voting in a different way. This truly has been the year of the ‘ballot or the bullet.’”
Ms. Sherna Blair Rich
said, “The Voting Rights Act prohibited racial discrimina- tion in voting. It was designed to give protection to Black Americans who wanted to ex- ercise their voting privileges in the United States of America. “For the record, “the younger generation” is not the only ones who do not “realize the sacrifices made and the impor- tance of voting.”
“There are a great percent- age of older Black Americans who are disappointed with how America continues to re- gard and/or disregard our great sacrifices in this country. Black Americans embraced the
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