Historic Election for african americans in pittsburgh

Oral arguments wrapped earlier today in U.S. Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais, which concerns equal representation for Black voters in Louisiana and the role of race in redistricting. The case came on appeal following a divided district court decision finding that Louisiana’s map, which included an additional majority-Black congressional district to remedy a likely Voting Rights Act (VRA) violation, was a racial gerrymander.

“Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act has been a critical tool in safeguarding the promise that people of color can participate in our democracy on equal terms,” said Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. “It has been our shield against discriminatory maps and our answer to laws designed to suppress the vote. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act with overwhelming, bipartisan support — and reauthorized it again and again — because our leaders understood a fundamental truth: you cannot cure discrimination by pretending it doesn't exist. We asked the court today to affirm that truth, and reaffirm Section 2 as it has for decades and just two years ago.”

A group of self-described “non-African American” voters asked the Supreme Court to strike down Louisiana lawmakers’ 2024 map, which complied with the Constitution and the VRA.

The case was argued before the Supreme Court last term. However, instead of issuing a decision after initial oral arguments in March 2025, the Court set the case for reargument on the specific legal question: “Whether Louisiana's creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the 14th or 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.” 

The framing of the question led the State defendants to abandon their commitment to defending Louisiana’s map. This leaves the coalition of Black voters and organizations as the only party defending the application of the VRA in the redistricting process and Black voters’ rights to fair and representative electoral maps. The Callais case comes after earlier litigation brought by these Black voters and organizations to challenge Louisiana’s 2022 congressional map, which illegally diluted Black voting power. In that case, Robinson v. Landry(formerly Robinson v. Ardoin), the district court and the Fifth Circuit held that the 2022 map violated Section 2 of the VRA. 

The Robinson appellants — the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and nine individual Black voters — are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Legal Defense Fund, ACLU of Louisiana, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and Louisiana attorneys John Adcock and Tracie Washington.

The Robinson clients and remaining counsel provided the following statements following the oral argument today:

“Our fight for fair maps has taken years and builds on the legacy of generations of Black voters who have demanded an equal voice in our democracy,” said Dr. Press Robinson, lead named plaintiff in Robinson v. Ardoin and appellant in Louisiana v. Callais. “We hope that the Supreme Court will recognize and cement the right of all Black voters to a fair electoral map. And we are proud to be before the court yet again, fighting for our communities, our state, and our democracy.”

“Yet again, we arrived at the Supreme Court today ready to continue our fight to secure fair opportunities for Black voters in Louisiana,” said Ashley Shelton, President/CEO of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. “Fair maps don’t just mean better representation — they can mean safer streets, lower prices, and better schools for our communities. We will be relentless in our pursuit of real justice and meaningful representation. Our democracy cannot function unless all voters has fair opportunities to elect candidates of choice.”

“This case will test whether the arc of our universe still bends toward justice — or whether it has bent back upon itself,” said Alanah Odoms, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “For generations, Black Louisianans have fought, bled, and sacrificed for the right to participate equally in our democracy. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is a core living legacy of that struggle. Without it, states could carve up Black and brown communities like puzzle pieces until our votes no longer matter. Weakening Section 2 would open the door to rampant racial gerrymandering and take us back to a pre-1965 America, where discrimination was the rule, not the exception.”

“All voters have a right to an equal voice in our political process — that is the promise of the Voting Rights Act,” said LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson. “Fair representation is foundational to democracy, but Black voters in Louisiana and around the country still face discrimination that dilutes the power of their vote. The Supreme Court has an opportunity to reaffirm this nation’s commitment to a multiracial, multiethnic democracy by standing firm on its recent decision in Allen v. Milligan just two years ago, enforcing the Voting Rights Act to ensure fair districting free from racial discrimination. For the fourth term in a row, LDF proudly returns to the Court to ensure Black communities can participate in the electoral process on an equal basis and have an equal say in how they are represented. There is no more fundamental civil rights issue facing America right now than the threat to the right to vote, without which every other right is illusory.”

“Black voters in Louisiana have had a long, arduous road to the ballot box, and we have earned every step forward with the blood, sweat, and tears of the advocates that came before us,” said Michael McClanahan, President of the NAACP Louisiana State Conference. “We have endured decades of discrimination in voting, and we must never become complacent when our vote is diluted. I am so proud of the steps we have taken to arrive at the Supreme Court today, and I can only hope the Court knows what’s right and allows fair maps to stand in Louisiana.”

“The Voting Rights Act is one of the seminal pieces of civil rights legislation, ensuring the vote for millions of Americans, including thousands of Louisianians,” said Alora Thomas-Lundborg, Senior Counsel at Harvard Election Law Clinic. “Today, the Supreme Court has the opportunity to ensure that legacy continues into the future."

“In order for our democracy to work, it is critical that the Supreme Court reaffirms Louisiana’s right to a fair congressional map,” said Edgar Cage. “Today, we stand on the shoulders of so many champions of civil rights who fought for the protections of the Voting Rights Act and the promise of a representative democracy. It is in that legacy that we continue to fight for our foundational rights.”

“We are proud to continue this important work after facing many twists and turns in our fight for fair maps,” said Martha Davis. “But no matter the outcome, we will continue organizing our communities around policies that matter, holding our elected officials accountable, and fighting for a more hopeful future for the generations that follow us. Louisiana deserves nothing less.”

“Today marks a moment of deep pride and hope for me as someone born and raised in Louisiana and a graduate of Louisiana’s flagship university,” said Ambrose Sims. “For far too long, Black residents of Louisiana have been denied fairness and opportunity in our political process. I have seen this firsthand. But last year, we saw a moment of change when our state legislature passed a fair congressional map. Today, we embrace another moment of renewed hope as the Court considers our case for a second time.”

“Our cause has always been greater than one case or one map,” said Bishop Edwin René Soulé. “Black people faced generations of discrimination in political representation across our nation — a reality we have known all too well in Louisiana. Enacting a map with fair and representative districts marked a more hopeful direction for the state, our country, and our democracy. We look forward to continuing to mobilize our communities to realize the true power of fair representation.”

“For Black communities across the State of Louisiana, our power has been on the line, our representation has been on the line, justice has been on the line,” said Reverend Clee Earnest Lowe. “That is why we stood up to make sure our voices counted. Upholding our right to a fair congressional map is imperative because our communities need to have representatives who will champion the issues and the causes that are dear to us, who will be accountable to our communities and the hopes of the generations who follow us. That is why we continue to fight for a fair map.”

“This case was about unlocking what has been withheld for generations — the ability to elect leaders who represent all communities in Louisiana, from the cities to the rural parishes, from the cane fields to the bayous,” said Dr. Dorothy Nairne. “When we join together as one, with a just and righteous mission, we are powerful and we can make real change for our communities. We implore the Supreme Court to do the right thing and affirm that fair representation will persist for our state.”

“Each of us who joined this case simply asked to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued in our political process,” said Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis. “We must never back down in the fight to ensure that our communities will continue to be reflected in our nation’s legislature, and our needs will be weighed in important political decision-making. This is a necessary fight for all who believe in a fair, free, and equitable democracy.” 

“I am proud to stand beside Black voters in my community, in this case, and across our state who have demanded a fair vote and an equal voice,” said Dr. Alice Washington. “Our call has been clear: we wanted new districts to provide greater equity in representation. We wanted the opportunity to elect representatives who care — who would pledge to work for a better world and equity in the electoral process. It was our collective effort that led the Legislature to finally pass a fair map last year, and our enduring fight together that led us to the Supreme Court yet again today.”

Source: ACLU

New Pennsylvania Project condemns the U.S. House’s 220-208 passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, requiring prospective voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote. The SAVE Act will create unnecessary barriers for millions of eligible U.S. citizens.

As a voting rights organization, we are vehemently opposed to any additional barriers that would make it more difficult to register to vote, and also to make it more difficult for our voices to be heard at the ballot box.

The SAVE Act disproportionately harms working people, young voters, new Americans, anyone who has changed their name, such as married people taking their spouse’s last name, and Black and brown communities.

The current regime is rewriting the rules to block us from voting because they know that when we all participate, we elect leaders who work for us, not just the rich and powerful.

The government already has the information it needs to determine who is eligible to vote. This act will enact a 21st-century poll tax and allow Elon Musk to comb through our voter files and access our private information. It will also strip the fundamental right to vote from more than 21 million eligible Americans who can’t produce, don’t have, can’t afford, or struggle to access the required documents.

“No one should have to pay to vote — but that’s exactly what this act is doing by requiring documents that cost money and require enormous time and effort to obtain. Make no mistake: This barrier would be a 21st-century poll tax designed to block people from having a say in the decisions that shape our lives,” said Kadida Kenner, founding CEO of New Pennsylvania Project.

“They know that most Americans support things like higher wages, affordable housing, and equitably funded public schools, so instead of winning our votes, they want to stop us from casting them,” Kenner added.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, challenges the false narrative that Black men are disengaged, spotlighting their crucial role in elections and the relentless fight against voter suppression.

America has a listening problem. Time and time again, especially around Election season, the false narrative around ‘disengaged’ Black men takes shape. Countless TV hours and newspaper pages are spent dissecting and discussing the complex nature of Black men. The experts, many of whom are not Black, say we don’t vote, aren’t engaged, don’t participate, or help build community. This could not be further from the truth.

As I mentioned during BET’s Black Men’s Summit, the truth is Black men – next to Black women – are one of the most reliable voting blocs in the country. Not only do we vote, but we fight for our right to vote in the face of continued attempts to block our ballots and silence our voices.

When Black people secured the first wave of voting rights through the 15th amendment,  more than half a million Black men were granted the right to vote, and went on to elect 2,000 Black men to public office. But Jim Crow laws still found loopholes. From literacy tests to poll taxes, anti-Black power players worked to silence our voices and prevent our community from progressing. In the 1960s, the Voting Rights Act saw increased anti-Black violence, fraud, and other intimidation tactics to keep Black voters away from the polls. And in the last 10 years, without the protection of the Voting Rights Act, states have introduced restrictive new policies at the federal and local levels to dictate who can show up to vote and how.

Vice President Kamala Harris Engages in Powerful Conversation with Hip Hop Legends Fat Joe and Too Short at the 'BET Hip Hop Awards' 2024

 As head of the nation’s largest civil rights organization which has been entrenched in advocacy work in the deep south for decades, I know that Black men show up. The sad reality is, we often show up and the door is shut in our faces. 60 years after the first Voting Rights Act, and we still aren’t doing enough to protect Black voters. Every day, we are combatting gerrymandering, voter suppression tactics, complicated voter ID laws, and other systemic barriers that have historically, and disproportionately, affected Black voters. This election cycle alone the NAACP has litigated over a dozen different cases in states attempting to disenfranchise Black and vulnerable voters.

 Despite such daunting obstacles, we are resisting and amplifying our voices to advocate for change.

 We’ve decided races up and down the ballot, exceeded turnout expectations and shouldered the responsibility of mobilizing millions. Still, Black Americans are the first to be left out of solutions to the problems we’re facing. We face higher rates of discrimination, are more likely to be impacted by natural disasters, disproportionately lack access to quality, affordable healthcare, and so much more. These systemic barriers are strategically placed to shut us out and stall our success.

 But we continue to excel. Our right to vote, and our fight for accountability, made possible through this crucial freedom, have raised us to new heights. We see ourselves in hospitals and in the halls of Congress, forcing the powers-at-be to hear our resounding cries.

 And in spite of this, anti-Black forces are invested in a past that America should be running from. They seek to divide and conquer through dis, and misinformation. Not only do they deceive us about policy victories, they prevent us from obtaining the resources that we need.

 This election cycle, the NAACP launched a $20M nationwide effort to combat disinformation and voter suppression and mobilize Black voters to show up on election day and vote—something many of us are already doing. As one of the most expansive campaigns of its kind ever led by a civil rights organization, our goal is to ensure that every Black voter is informed and empowered to vote come election day.

 We have launched a Voter Protection Hub and introduced Our Project 2025 and we are working with and within communities across the country to give Black voters the resources they need to fight for the right to have their voices heard. Black voters are already changing the face of the electoral map, and we have proven time and time again how powerful we are when we show up at the ballot box.

But we still have a long way to go.

In order to Keep Advancing, we need comprehensive reform that addresses these systemic issues once and for all. Our laws should expand voter access and protect the integrity of our vote, not hinder it. We also need to move our country, and the narrative, forward if we hope to succeed. America, are you ready to listen?

Derrick Johnson is President and CEO of the NAACP, the nation's largest civil rights organization.

Sublime refers to something “of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.”  During the August 2024 Democratic Convention, the former First Lady Michelle Obama all but “dropped the mic” as she delivered her sublime speech (See Read and watch: Michelle Obama’s full speech to tNohe DNC – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com).  She reached her rhetorical zenith when she stated, “Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open for others.  She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward… we will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth.  If we bankrupt a business… or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead… we don’t get to change the rules so we always win.  If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top.  No, we put our heads down. We get to work. In America, we do something.” 

Indeed, if we love America’s promise regarding equity and social justice, then we must do something as we approach the November 2024 Presidential election.  As many have advised, “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance!” Therefore, now is not the time to bask in the civic warmth generated by the many hope-related remarks at the recent Democratic Convention.  Rather, we must heed the following remarks from former First Lady Michelle Obama, “So we cannot afford for anyone to sit on their hands and wait to be called upon… don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to ask for your support… there is simply no time for that kind of foolishness. You know what we need to do.  So, consider this to be your official ask: Michelle Obama is asking you to do something!   …In some states, just a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner.  So, we need to vote in numbers that erase any doubt… we need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us. Our fate is in our hands.”  

Moving forward, in addition to actually voting, below are some things to consider doing prior to November 2024.

·  Educate yourself regarding all local, regional, state and national issues on your ballot.

·  Thoroughly research the policies and practices of all candidates on your ballot.

·  Encourage others to register and actually vote.

·  Volunteer to work for the political party of your choice.

·  Donate financially to support specific candidates.

·  Participate actively in organizations devoted to the pursuit of equity and social justice.

There are, of course, many other ways that one can use their talents to undertake their civic responsibility.  While doing so, never forget that the opposition will be relentless in terms of not only advancing their causes but also in tearing yours’ down.  Opposition tactics will range from gaslighting to outright lying, from ad hominem to physical attacks.  Knowing the burden of doing something in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality, Martin Luther King Jr. advised, “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” (Keep Moving from this Mountain).  We must keep moving forward.  That is, all of us must do something because the November 2024 election is a battle for the soul of America, a battle to demonstrate that “we won’t go back,” a battle for hope to triumph over hate, and a battle for “we the people” to emerge victorious over a convicted felon.  

We must do something because, as former First Lady Michelle Obama stated, “Kamala knows, like we do, that regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, how you worship, or what’s in your bank account… we all deserve the opportunity to build a decent life… all of our contributions deserve to be accepted and valued.   Because no one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American… no one!”  Or, as Langston Hughes poetically put the matter, 

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

August 27, 2024 

Led by state Reps. Aerion Abney, Napoleon Nelson, Rick Krajewski, Anthony Bellmon and Greg Scott, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday heard from Allegheny County officials over incarcerated peoples’ right to vote from jail.

The caucus held a news conference in Pittsburgh during their Lunch and Learn Event with guests, including Allegheny County Jail Assistant Deputy Warden Connie Clark, County Elections Manager David Voye, Lorraine Cross of the Black Political Empowerment Project, Amy Kleissas from the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, Destiny of Faith Church Rev. Brenda Gregg, and Teresa Minor Spencer of West End Power.

"Even behind bars, the right to vote is a beacon of hope, reminding us that every voice matters, and that redemption and civic duty are intertwined," said Abney, D-Allegheny. “Voting from jail underscores the principle that rehabilitation includes reintegration into society, fostering a sense of responsibility and participation in democratic processes.”

Discussion centered on allowing incarcerated individuals to vote and how that emphasizes the idea that justice and democracy are inclusive.

"The vote is the great equalizer; it bridges the gap between those inside and outside prison walls, ensuring that all citizens have a say in the laws that govern them," said Nelson, D-Montgomery, who is Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chair.

"To deny the vote to those in jail is to silence a part of our community.”

Participants all agreed that voting from jail is important because it gives a voice to marginalized groups, helping to address systemic issues and promote fairer policies that affect both inmates and the wider community.

“I appreciate the work being done in Allegheny County Jail to ensure that voting rights are respected. Anyone held pre-trial or convicted for misdemeanors absolutely has the right to vote but, too often, incarcerated voters are effectively disenfranchised when they aren’t provided with voter registration forms or absentee ballots,” said Krajewski. “Creating voting procedures like those in Allegheny County Jail is a simple step which not only protects voting rights but, research shows, decreases recidivism by keeping incarcerated individuals civically engaged in their communities. It’s time to pass my bill, H.B. 1756, and ensure measures like these are in place at every correctional institution in the commonwealth.”

"The right to vote from jail is a powerful reminder that democracy extends to all citizens, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging positive societal contributions even from within prison walls," said Scott, D-Montgomery. “Our commitment to this sacred right is ironclad.”

"Empowering incarcerated people to vote acknowledges their humanity, challenges the notion of disenfranchisement, and strengthens the democratic fabric of our society," said Bellmon, D-Phila.

AARP Pennsylvania's first 2024 election survey shows that candidates should pay close attention to Pennsylvanian voters ages 50 and older, and highlights the priorities and concerns of Black voters ages 50 and older that will likely influence the outcome of the 2024 elections. Seventy-nine percent of Black voters in Pennsylvania are extremely motivated to vote this year.

When asked about the issues that are important as they decide whom to vote for this November, older Black voters cited Social Security (92% say extremely or very important), Medicare (89%), policies to help seniors live independently at home as they age (87%), the cost of prescription drugs (86%) as key issues. In fact, Social Security and Medicare emerge as their top priority issue in their vote for Senate this year, with nearly twice as many Black voters 50+ choosing Social Security and Medicare as any of the other dozen issues tested. 

"With inflation and the rising costs of living squeezing all Pennsylvania households, Black voters 50+ are clearly looking for leaders with a plan," said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director.  "Candidates would be wise to listen to their opinions and concerns if they want to win in November."

Among Black voters 50+, President Joe Biden (D) leads former President Donald Trump (R) by a large margin: 84% to 8%. In the race for U.S. Senate, Senator Bob Casey (D) leads Dave McCormick 87% to 7%.

 Other key takeaways include:

• 96% of Black voters 50+ say they are more likely to vote for a candidate for U.S. Senate who advocated making sure workers get the Social Security they paid for through a lifetime of hard work;
• Four of the five issues measured as cost concerns are important to many Black voters 50+: health care/prescription drugs, utilities, food, and housing; and
• 58% of Black voters 50+ are worried about their personal financial situation including 63% of women. Health care/prescription drugs and housing are the biggest cost concerns;
• 66% of Black voters 50+ and 73% of Black voters 65+ say Social Security is or will be a major source of their income.

AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward & Impact Research to conduct a survey. The firms interviewed 1,398 likely Pennsylvania voters, which includes a statewide representative sample of 600 likely voters, with an oversample of 470 likely voters age 50 and older and an additional oversample of 328 Black likely voters age 50 and older, between April 24-30, 2024. The interviews were conducted via landline, cellphone, and SMS-to-web. The margin of sampling error for the 600 statewide sample is ±4.0%; for the 800 total sample of voters 50+ is ±3.5%; for the 400 total sample of Black voters 50+ is ±4.9%.

View the full survey results at aarp.org/PApolling.

For more information on how, when and where to vote in Pennsylvania, visit aarp.org/PAVotes.

 La’Tasha D. Mayes won her seat for HD24 on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Mayes – a nationally recognized, award-winning leader in the fields of reproductive justice; human rights; and leadership development for Black women, girls, femmes and gender-expansive  folx – defeated incumbent Martell Covington in the May 2022 primary to become the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania House District 24. Mayes ran unopposed in this week’s general election. 

“I  am overjoyed and grateful to serve the people of House District 24 as their State Representative,” Mayes said. “Now, I focus my attention to service the needs of my constituents from East Hills to East Liberty to the Hill District, and I continue to bring

 my vision for reproductive, racial, economic, gender and environmental justice to my continued community organizing and now with my colleagues in Harrisburg.” 

Running  for public office holds deep personal meaning for Mayes. She attributes her commitment to public service and community organizing to her mother, Charlotte D. Stroud, a U.S. Army veteran, food service worker and a UNITEHERE union member. 

“This  day is not possible without my ancestors who paved this path for me. I ran to disrupt politics as usual, and we have done just that. I will be the first woman to represent House District 24 and the first out lesbian in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, but  I will not be the last.”

La’Tasha D. Mayes, MSPPM, is a nationally recognized, award-winning  leader in the fields of reproductive justice, human rights and leadership development for Black women and girls. She’s the founder and former president and CEO of New  Voices for Reproductive Justice, an organization  dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women, femmes, girls and gender-expansive folx with roots in Pittsburgh and operations in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Beyond her 18 years of pioneering work with New Voices, Mayes has held community leadership  positions with many boards and contributed writings on reproductive justice and public policy in numerous articles and several books. Mayes, who resides in Morningside, is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 Mayes also earned a Master of Science in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University and completed the Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pittsburgh. Mayes most recently served on the Governor’s Commission on  African American Affairs and was named The 2022 Power of Diversity: Black 100 by City & State magazine.

It is a very sad commentary on American democracy when individuals state, “Why should I vote? Voting doesn’t matter.” In the original sense of staying woke, i.e., being sensitive to issues related to social justice, the following question is asked of such pessimistic people. If voting didn’t matter, then why did the following occur?

· When George Washington was elected President in 1789, the founding White “Fathers” limited voting to only White males.

· It took almost another century before the 1870 passage of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution which gave Blacks the right to vote.

· Women had to fight for centuries to get the right to vote, with the passage of the 19th Amendment coming only in 1920 guaranteeing women the right to vote. 

· It was not until 1965 that President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act designed to prevent state and local governments from subverting the 15th Amendment. 

· As we approach the November 2022 election, a pervasive Republican Party strategy consists of preventing those who don’t share their agenda from voting.

As the foregoing voting history indicates, the denial of oppressed peoples’ voting rights has been a major method of maintaining systemic racism, sexism, and White male privileged patriarchy. However, history also demonstrates that, when woke folks vote, then significant societal changes take place.

If wokefolks had not voted in sufficient numbers during the past national election, then [1] we would have gained neither our first Black female Vice President nor our first Black Female Supreme Court Justice; and [2] we would not have the following judicial outcomes reported by the Pew Research Center: “As of Aug. 8, the first day of the U.S. Senate’s August break, Biden has successfully appointed 75 judges to the three main tiers of the federal judicial system: the district courts, appeals courts and U.S. Supreme Court. That’s far more than the number appointed by Donald Trump (51) and Barack Obama (42) at the same stage in their presidencies, and slightly more than the number appointed by several other recent presidents – including George W. Bush (72), Bill Clinton (74) and Ronald Reagan (72) – by this point in their tenures…” (August 9, 2022).

As many have said, “elections have consequences” and one of the most significant consequences of the last national election was that President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act which, among other things, lowered health costs for millions of Americans. Biden’s approval of student loan forgiveness debt is estimated to impact many millions of borrowers, with reductions related to Pell Grants possibly as high as $20,000.  

Regarding the importance of voting in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area, one needs to look no further than the recent election of Black Mayors. As the New Pittsburgh Courierreported, “Allegheny County is home to just a 14 percent African American population among its 1.2 million residents, but there are eight Black mayors overseeing cities and boroughs in the county…” Those elected include, “Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh Mayor; Joelisa L. McDonald, Rankin Mayor; Dontae Comans, Wilkinsburg Mayor; Delia Lennon Winstead, Braddock Mayor; (Bottom Left) Betty Copeland, Bridgeville Mayor; John Burwell, Homestead Mayor; Val Pennington, Bellevue Mayor; Cletus Lee, North Braddock Mayor.” (February 17, 2022). 

If anyone has an iota of a disposition regarding it not being important to vote, then I urge them to consider the following words of former First Lady Michelle Obama, “…In this tumultuous period, they’ve (young people) been learning something that often took previous generations years, or decades, to understand: that life can be unfair. It can be unjust and more than anything is always uncertain. But if you live by foundational truths—like honesty, compassion, decency—and if you channel your frustration into our democracy with your vote and your voice, you can find your true north even in times of crisis.

…So, every single person out there needs to ask themselves, do they trust the folks in charge to make the right call? Whether it’s school boards or statehouses or those in Washington—are my neighborhood’s interests being represented, or are they being ignored? They’re questions we should be asking every year, in every election, and at every level of government. …what happens when you don’t vote, you are giving away your power to someone else—someone who doesn’t see the world the same as you. You’re letting them make some really key decisions about the way you live. And the truth is, that’s exactly what some folks are hoping you’ll do. They’re hoping that you’ll stay home so that they can make these important decisions for you.”  (Cox Media Group National Content Desk July 12, 2020). 

Regarding Ms. Obama’s main contentions, why would eligible women voters not vote and thereby leave it to ill-informed, ill-willed, misogynistic elected officials to pass legislation that will have adverse impact on all aspects of reproductive justice, including literally the lives of women. 

At a time when misguided armed people cause chaos at public school board meetings, why would parents eligible to vote permit the election of officials who will have adverse impact on their children’s education? Why, by not voting, permit the election of school board members with little if any positive regard for LGBTQ children? Why permit the election of school board officials who liken Black children to monkeys?

In my opinion, the conscious failure of an eligible Black voter to vote is tantamount to a betrayal of those who, since the days of chattel slavery to date, struggled to end systemic racism; structural poverty; health and housing disparities; educational achievement gaps derived from the lack of equal opportunities; poor policing; discrimination based on sexual orientation or religious beliefs; White male privilege; violent neighborhoods; absence of appropriate gun legislation; and other major oppressive factors in America. How dare you not vote when, in 2022, [1] a Republican political tool consists of arresting people for voting after Florida officials certified their rights to vote; [2] a delusional, egotistical tyrant seeking to become President again believes he can declassify secret documents “even by thinking about it; and [3] on October 4, 2022, USA Today reported, “Hundreds of elections deniers running for office nationwide in 2022 pose 'major threat' to U.S. democracy.”

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

October 25, 2022