I’VE BEEN VOTING SINCE THE AGE OF 18 AND I WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE BECAUSE BLACK VOTES DO COUNT

good article

Thanks for the clarification.. I always understood it as the voting act allowed the black vote.. not the 15th amendment.

Why they take this extentions off and say that we have the right to vote forever?

ALL I CAN SAY IS VOTE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!

#4: We do have the right to vote forever. The extensions apply to the banning of the literacy tests which were once required to vote. The federal government first employed literacy tests as part of the immigration process in 1917, which prohibited immigrants from voting and in Southern states in the late 1800s, whose legislatures employed literacy tests as part of the voter registration process, blacks.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 suspended the use of literacy tests in all states, which would have continued to disenfranchise potential voters.

VOTE 2 SAVE YO AZZ!!!

BARACK THE VOTE INDIANA ON TUESDAY!!! (Oh and North Carolina too!)

I am 30 and have been registered since I was 18. My first time voting was for Bill Clinton for his second term. For the last few years I’ve been an “absentee voter” which means I get my ballot through the mail and don’t have to deal with searching for polling places and long lines. I recommend it!

This election concerns me….
Just because he’s black, doesn’t mean he’s the best for the job.
I mean I’m glad that we do have a person of a different race running,
but there are alot of ignorant people that will be voting for Obama off the strength that he’s black.
Research what all the candidates are about…not what color or gender they are.
Just sayin…..

okay i misread that.. my bad.

I think, it is awesome that you guys are posting information about the upcoming presidential elections!! I hope everyone takes initiative to vote this November. Change cannot happen if we don’t vote.

@ #10, although I agree with you to some extent, I do not believe that mos people are idiots for voting for Obama merely because he is a black man. Obama and Hillary are running on nearly identical platforms, so for some people their decision on who to vote for is going to be based on who they identify with more. That being said I do agree that before anyone casts a vote, they do their research.

Either way 2008 is sure to go down in the history books!!

the Voting Rights Act is a violation of the Fifteenth Amendment, because if someone should happen to fail a literacy test, what are the people going to say? “You can’t vote”? This Act should be done away with immediately.

You people need to stop trying to play nice with YT and saying “dont just vote for Obama just because he’s black blah blah blah…”

White folks are NOT voting for Obama just becuse he is black..

Stop trying to be diplomatic, and do what has been to us for years…DISCRIMINATE!

If Obama dont make it to the Whitehouse, no other black man ever will..

@JJ

It’s sad that you would say that. It doesn’t have to be a black man maybe women. And just like you think he might be the right person for the job and he is in tune with your issues, there are people black and white who identify with other candidates for the same reasons you might like Obama. It’s sad that the first think we do is tear a person down for the beliefs in a country where we all strive for tolarence MaCain 08

@ JA and all other naive folk..

^^^^ “tolerance”….?! What fairytale sweet and fluffy cloud do you live on?? lol

Wake up and smell the coffee… and take off the rose tinted glasses…

We as a race will never be fully accepted why should we have to be ”tolerated” any way? in AmeriKKKA, the sooner you realise this the better, more fool you if you feel that racism has disappeared (sp?). Its just swept under the carpet..

I might as well sweep some of my shit under there too and keep it moving.

Obama ‘08.

and if other races identify with Obama because of other isues they identify with then good.. for them

good for Obama and

good for US.

I want to feel my vote counts just as every black person, however is it realistic that all of our votes are counted and reflected as we intend within the short period of time provided? Another concern…..Why do I have to vote in a particular desinated area, when I can travel to London while purchasing an item; with my Florida Bank card, as I receive a clear typed receipt of this purchase. Voting is a right that our ancestors died for, as we evolve, our manner of sustaining should reflect excogitation.

So what if someone votes for Obama because he’s black. You hear on the news everyday about blue collar white voters who won’t vote for Obama because he’s black. I am not saying it’s right but it is what it is. You think you are hearing about Rev Wright on accident. They have spies going to the church now trying to record what is being said. When have you ever known that to happen in an American election. Wake up people. We have a chance to have some real power in this country. And the people who have had it forever don’t want to share it.

another great post! I’m 21 now and I’ve been voting since I was 18. It’s important and I wish everyone understood the value of casting a vote.

you’re definitely staying on your job, J. Dakar!

I would have to say, I enjoyed the article. However, I am not big on politics, I am some what confused on who to vote for. I DON’T want to vote for Obama simply because he is black, and Hillary becuase her husband was president and alot said he did a great job, and was a “African American” lover. I would like to base my decisions on issues that affect me and my family. Like healthcare, EDUCATION, economy, and so forth. I am a single mother, I am trying the best I can, it is hard. I hate to see people who are not trying. I am trying to get my life together, so my son will have a better life and future.

I just forgot to add that I hate when people complain about stuff, but don’t do anything to change it. I have been voting also since I was 18, I always hear people complain about how their vote don’t count. I also feel why should a person wait unitl something affects them directly, B4 they want to make some type of change. Why not make that change early on, when you first see it happening, or it might be too late. I just got alot to say b/c I got a thing for people who are on public assistance, but got money to buy designer labels and everything else in between. Go get a damn job and register to fuckin vote, and stop having kids you can’t take care of. Damn, people died for our right to vote, exercise you damn rights.

I am 27 and I too have voted since I was 18. However, this year I was somewhat excited and I have never really paid attention to the candidates previously because I voted the way my mother did. This I did not I voted for Barack in the primary while my mother voted for Hilary. What matters to me is Education, Healthcare, Economy among other things. Last year I was ready to vote for Hilary until I gave Barack a chance to see what he was about. I am ready for change and I hate the this primary has turned out and how people’s true colors are really showing i.e. Hilary’s. She and her husband have forever turned me off as politicians. I know people who say they don’t vote and I think that it is ridiculous that people fought hard so that we could get that right as black people men and women alike.

First off, let me say that this was indeed a rather informative post. However, I just find it a little suspicious that after Bush signed the extension for the Voting Rights Act (July 2006), a few months later (February 2007) Obama announced that he was running for President. Perfect timing huh…

This was actually a good post! Thanks CL, I’d read this any day over Ray-J!

@ jj

you made my point for me. It interesting to see how many people think like you.

Racism is the lack of tolerance of another person. You have to be tolerant in order

to recieve tolerance. It goes past one’s skin. There are many black men and women

who I think would make a better president then Obama but I tolerate people who

believe that Obama might change anything. My point is not about race at all. It’s

that we as black people need to vote for who is right for own personnal issues. If

Clinton is right for you vote for Clinton, and likewise with all candidates. Do the

reserch for youself. All three top candidates almost stand the same on most top

top issues, but its the little things that stands them apart. One of things I dont

understand about why people say lets vote for obama or clinton because of race or

gender, is what does that matter interms of what is best for the nation. He or she

still has to go thur congress. (And we all know the race, gender, sex, or party

majorty doesn’t really matter, congress votes the same as always. As seen by the

06 Party switch) They can’t make special rules for female or black people. I looked

at vote for Obama but I didn’t identify with him. I’m black and I can say that with no

shame. If someone other that Mc Cain wins I won’t be upset I will still serve and love

my country and obey the laws. Can you say the same?

I am not quite getting at what you are saying Sheila…what is interesting about that?

I might just be not using my brain at the moment!

OH YEAH!!! NORTH CAROLINA AND INDIANA STAND UP!!! VOTE BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT 2008!! THIS TUESDAY VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

please redo the banner. november is spelled incorrectly lol

I have voted in every election, special election and ect since I was 18 (I am only 23) lol. It’s good you guys have this post a lot of the first time voters at my church said they were denied that right to vote in my states primary (CA) my church is a hub for voter registration (we have a lot of young people) so I know they were registered.

Good article.

#29: Thanks so much! That’s what happens when you do things in a hurry and don’t proofread.

Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

#1 I agree w/ JJ…we should take advantage of a candidate that is black. If ppl were voting for other blk ppl just off the strength that a they were blk, Jesse would have gotten elected in the 80s. So, I think that ppl are voting for the person in their best interest.

#2 @ JA wtf r u talking abt?? “do the research, yada yada yada…” Hillary is a CROOK. If you did research on her thievin, lyin’ ass you’d know she is NO WHERE NEAR qualified for the position of running the U.S. McCain is nothing more than a liar who plays off of his “I fought for this country” experience and will without a doubt be a continuation of the Bush Administration that put this country in a rut. Obama gives hope to the ppl. NO ONE knows who he really is but everything thus far has been good. The only way to see if he is the “right” person for the job is to give them the job. I don’t vote (unless it’s crucial state or local proposition) simply bc my trust in politicians has been thrown out of the window since ballots have been stolen and candidates pay a huge amount of money to get elected.

#3 CL I freakin’ LOVE you all for the great posts!! J. Dakar, it is really refreshing to be enlightened and learn about new things in politics from a blk perspective. THANKS!

I found this posted on a political website and wanted to post it because it pretty much summed up what I, and probably a lot of others who’d like to see true democracy prevail, have been thinking lately with all pointed media coverage:

“Now I’m not usually a paranoid guy, but there are a number of inconsistencies and oddities in the media concerning Senator Obama that give me pause. First, why is Senator Obama constantly being hit for what his former pastor said when Senator McCain has sought and still covets the likes of televangelist John Hagee who believes the Catholic Church conspired with the Nazis and that Katrina was God’s retribution for homosexual sin? Second, why is the media constantly pushing the idea that Senator Obama is an elitist when he came from a broken home as opposed to the other 2 candidates who were never placed at such a disadvantage? Added with the fact that Senator McCain and Senator Clinton are worth at least 100 million dollars and Hillary doesn’t know how to operate a blue collar coffee machine, I find that assertion particularly odd. Third, why does the media avoid Bill Clintion’s ties with dictators and the dubious contributions to his library? Fourth, why is Senator Obama constantly being labeled the ‘Black’ candidate when in fact he is half white? Fifth, why has the media virtually said nothing about Senator Clinton wanting to use the United States military to keep all nations in check in the Middle East? This seems entirely inconsistent since it is a major policy shift from disengaging Iraq to engaging the entire Middle East! And lastly, why is Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and Fox news doing everything possible to get Hillary Clinton elected? Like I said, I’m not usually a paranoid guy, but all these facts seem to point to one thing: that Senator Obama isn’t all hot air and actually is the candidate of change. Something the corridors of power in Washington and corporate media (an extension of corporate America) aren’t too happy about.”

I don’t do much with viral emails, perhaps someone can post this in a larger forum. These are concrete questions we need to be asking the media in a public forum so there can be no excuses from them as to why some things are covered ad nauseum and that same type of thing from other candidates are discussed for only one or two days max.

I mean we all know its happening–it has to be up to someone to make them vow to change their coverage or at least include all the candidates in these dissections. It would be fine with me to have a “Presidential Pastor Preferences” segment on your show and you could list the candidates’ associations side by side; you could have your trusty pundits decide which candidate’s pastor said the most discriminating thing and rate them–similar to how Dan Abrams counts up gaffes from the Dem candidates.

Then, say, a Pat Buchanan would have to get down to the nitty gritty as to WHY what Rev. Wright said is worse than what Pastor Hagee says…come on..tell us why, Pat. (Ok sorry, got off on a tangent there..can you guess who my favorite pundit is…and by favorite, I mean…hmmm really don’t like)

I have been a registered voter since the age of 18. And have exercised that right at every opportunity. But what has been such an unpleasant surprise is I’ve met people here in this day and time that feel voting means nothing and will solve nothing. Yet these same people complain, cry and are eager to present their opinions. This is very sad and it angers me.

@ 34 Thank you for this post. I live in Indiana and our primary is Tuesday. I have copied and posted this in our online newspaper forum and will continue to post

@14

When did 2 wrongs make a right?

If racism is a social ill.
If prejudice is dangerous.
If politics is about who is right for the position.
If indeed change starts with me (us).

Why would I vote for someone based on color solely?

And why would my decision be based on the racism of yesterday rather than the promise of a greater tomorrow.

I don’t like how you think.

I REGISTERED TO VOTE TWO YEARS AGO! THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME GOING TO THE POLLS. I’M SO EXCITED! I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING EACH CANDIDATE AND I’M REALLY FEELING HILLARY!!! SO IS MY MOTHER AND FATHER. OBAMA IS A STRONG CANDIDATE,…I JUST DON’T FEEL HE’S READY.

ok folks let’s handle our business!

Keep up the great posts J. Good luck on your exams!

Thanks for the information. Although I am registered (almost; gotta mail my card back) I had heard about this upcoming expiration of voter rights for AA, but was not really clear on it. In fact I really wasn’t worried about AA’s losing their (our) rights to vote, hell we’ll shut this ish down!!!

Dont play.

@JA

Are you a negro, lol? Are you one of those black women that joined the armed forces and played the concubine for all the soldiers no matter the race or nationality? You may be a negro physically but you are so totally detached from the issues that black people deal with that you’re either perpetrating a lie on this site or a lie to yourself. Your uninformed comment on the Sean Bell post typified your lust to maintain caucasian domination no matter the case or cause, because that is all American patriotism is about. It was sad and pathetic that a person such as yourself, that claims to believe in American law and justice, would allege that Sean Bell was deserving of death because he was alleged to be a drug-dealer and be carrying a gun that night (which he wasn’t). If that’s the case the firing squad should go to the White House. You have the nerve to attempt to define “racism” but then you align yourself politically with a man like John McCain who is so anti-black that he’s even against black people that loved whites, i.e. MLK. You don’t have to show tolerance to receive tolerance. That’s your way of saying that black people must love white people in order to hopefully not offend them enough that we can be tolerated. A person has the right to feel however the hell he or she wants in America about anyone else as long as they do not infringe or infract on the laws of the land. Black people wanting to vote for Obama because he is black is simple but no more ignorant than a black person voting for John McCain because he’s a warmonger and you were a former soldier (murderer, rapist, thief) for the American army. At least a negro who is voting black understands that skin color is not the issue as much as racial pride and the connotation that all races may allegedly be equal under American law but they do not all share equal experiences in American life. The more I see your commentary the more I feel sorry for those Iraqi and Afghani people. You and all other American soldiers; no matter the race (to steal a phrase from you), are at the very least under mind control, and at the worst sadistic devils (Isaiah 34:2, Joel 3:9-14).

I really feel that we do not need to keep renewing the Voters Right Act, just abolish it altogether.