GDN Exclusive – Fighting Voter Suppression on A Personal Level

Daron Davis

I met this young man. He’s working and trying to contribute to society, but what he really wants to do is just help his mom out with bills. Then he tells me his mom is a frontline health care worker. In his words, “I believe my mom is hardworking, but they are barely getting by and he feels as if she’s not respected as a frontline health care worker.”

I listen intently because I want him to know that I care. And I do care. Then, I say something to the effect of, “It’s a shame that so many folks are working more than they are taking care of themselves and their families. Sadly, this is how our economy is, but it’s this way by choice. Policies that make our economic system are by design and by choice not chance.” I also mention, “Financial stress also causes family stress. Whether it’s drinking, drugs, or just not being able to spend quality time as a family, our economic system currently impacts most families negatively in some form or other.”

He then tells me he’s turning 18 this week. I was so excited. I said, “Do you know what that means?”

He said “What?”

I say, “You get to vote and the things we don’t like we can help to change.” I said this with genuine glee. I wanted him to know the power and responsibility that comes with turning 18.

He says, of course, “I’m not into politics.”

I respond with, “That’s what they want you to say. They don’t want you to vote. The reason we are a democracy is because we vote. The more that vote, the closer we are to the dream of a democratic nation.”

He says, “I don’t know enough about it to vote.”

“Ah Ha!” I say, and “That’s why I want you to vote. You see, once you start voting you will continue to vote because voting is a habit. As you continue to vote, you will learn more about who, what, when where and how. The fact that you vote will empower you and encourage others to vote. You will be the perfect candidate to encourage voting, because your generation tends to be apathetic when it comes to voting, but you can help change that.”

He gave me some pushback and said “maybe you’re right. I don’t know.”

I say, “Would you do it for me?”

“What do you mean?”, He says.

I respond, “I want you to understand this: The people that don’t like me because of my skin color vote. They vote every chance they get. They never miss a chance. If you vote you can cancel one of them.”

His eyes lit up. I could see the empowerment he felt at the thought of smacking down a vote from a racist. He says, “I don’t understand why people are racist.”

I implore him with this, “You and me both, brother, but you know they are. There has never been anything you could do about racism, until now. Just consider it. I don’t want to pressure you, but I would like for you to think about the power that you will be getting.”

This is where he tells me about the kindness that he did not get at home. He then tells me about the kindness received from a black woman. He said he will never forget it. Again, he says, “I don’t get racism.”

I could tell racism really bothered this young man. I was heartened.

I again said, “Just think about voting. That would mean so much to me. Your friends will see how responsible you are. They will see you doing the most basic responsibility of a citizen of our nation. They will ask you why you vote. You will be able to tell them your reasons. Again, remember you’ll know more by then. They will ask you more questions and you will be able to answer them too. I said eventually they will vote also and that’s what I really want.”

After saying that, I say, “I’m going to leave now. I will see you later, but consider it, ok?

To my amazement he said, “You’re right, man I’m going to start voting.”

I said, “That’s great! I’m very proud of you. I believe it’s the right choice. It’s definitely the better choice.”

He said “Thank you for taking the time, talking to me, and convincing me that I have a choice and I should choose to do something. I see not voting is doing nothing”

“Thank you. You just made my day”, I said before leaving.

This was me fighting against voter suppression on a personal level. It heartened me, as I hope it heartens you. We know that our youth aren’t taught to vote, or what civic responsibility is. We all have the responsibility to encourage enfranchisement. It is possible to educate them young and to empower them to continue the work towards a better nation.

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