Why Vote?

History reminds us of what most people do not want to remember, or what most do not want others to know. Right about now the idea of voting might have crossed your mind. Many of you might not have even voted in your lives. I confess, I am one of them. Politics to me was just that: politics. Ironically, I went to college to major in politics where I learned more than what I thought I was going to learn, maybe, what I was not expected even to know. Learning the mechanisms of domestic and international politics, knowing I could do nothing to bring about change for my own personal cause. Yes, I have a political cause which burns my insides at times: To end RACISM IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY AGAINST BLACK LATINOS. It’s something nobody likes to talk about, however, till this date Latinos of African descent live in impoverished conditions throughout Latin America, and have barely media coverage. I call it the big secret How many “Latinos” will admit to be part “indigenous” but deny that they too are of African descent. Meanwhile, their features say otherwise. No, this is not my time to continue with my book of exposing this issue; or is it?

There is something in the air and it smells like CHANGE. Presidential hopeful Barack Hussein Obama represents “change” in the political process of this country. A change so many of us need. A change in our lives that will enable us to stand up and cheer for CHANGE!

Exercise your right to vote to make a CHANGE… African American males were able to vote thanks to the 15th Amendment of 1865 but their participation was limited and deliberately used by electoral parties. It wasn’t until 1961 that CHANGE took place and by 1965 the Voting Rights Act, gave full rights to African Americans to vote justly and fairly . On the other hand women, were long excluded from the voting “franchise,” and their struggles to achieve the right to vote were long and hard fought.

On July 14 , 1917 a woman by the name of Amelia Himes Walker led a group of women in front of the White House but were shortly arrested. However, it was Alice A. Paul who brought about CHANGE and thanks to her efforts and predecessors the 19th Amendment was instituted ! Oh yes, the Republicans have a woman running for Vice President. Maybe she can be more successful than Geraldine Ferraro. Whatever our political views and affiliations are

Let us all exercise our right to vote!

There’s still time to register. Act now!
Who knows soon we might have President Obama, then can be  President González; and President Lee Chang.

The Right to Vote

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
- Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1870)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
- Nineteenth Amendment (1920)

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any
primary or other election . . . shall not be denied or abridged . . . by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
- Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964)

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.

- Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971)