Part I of a II Part Series
The nation is now bracing for what is predicted to be one of the most divisive, heated, and nasty presidential elections that it will perhaps ever witness. Voters are vehemently committed to their positions and choices no matter what candidates have said or done. It is obvious that voters are willing to overlook serious character flaws and defects, moral shortcomings and calls for truthfulness, decency, and respect for the rule of law. It seems not to matter to many voters that a candidate purposely and repeatedly lies, promoting and feeding the public with disinformation about the deadly consequences of the COVID 19 Pandemic and boasting if I were to shoot and kill someone on Fifth Avenue in New York nothing would be done about it. Health and medical science are about to be replaced and controlled by advocates at the White House who have no experience or expertise in anything but politics.
Equally disturbing and concerning is the fact that without any real proof or evidence to prove otherwise, President Trump is alleging that mail in ballots lead to widespread election and voter fraud. He is seizing and contending that depending on the outcome of the election, and should he lose the election, he may not concede the outcome and will forego submitting to a smooth transition of power in January 2021. Unbelievable and surprising things are happening in real time. We are witnessing the decay and undermining of our democracy while the public seems to be numb and helpless to do anything about what is happening. The citizenry must not despair. It must react and heed the words of the late congressman John Lewis from the state of Georgia, “get in good trouble. If it’s not right, if it’s not fair, say something, wake up America”. Wake up America your future is at stake.
We are told by the FBI and US State Department sources that foreign governments such as Russia, China and Iran are once again attempting to influence the outcome of our elections. Their efforts and techniques are very sophisticated and are having to be constantly monitored and tracked.
A lot is at stake in the upcoming 2020 Presidential race! The outcome of the 2020 election will determine the strength of our democracy and the direction in which the nation will adhere to for years and generations to come. Consequently, citizens must appreciate the fact that the future of the nation, of our children, grandchildren, and generations to come is at stake. If citizens do not register to vote NOW, vote and pack polling places in November, they too will be guilty of marginalizing the impact and future of our democracy, ideals, and time-honored principles that have guided the nation for centuries. While we readily acknowledge that the nation is quite a distance way from achieving and living up to its worthy and defining principles of freedom and justice for all, and while much has been accomplished we are not there yet, but we must believe with hope, patience and toiling that we will arrive at a just and desired destination. America must never give up on its stated creed and declaration of achieving social justice and civil rights and freedom for all citizens. Brick by brick and step by step we will get there.
Citizens must clearly and convincingly understand that the November 2020 Presidential election is more than about registering and fulfilling their civic duties of voting. Voting in November is about the role and responsibility in determining the future and shape of things to come. It is about protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms to have access to quality, affordable health care. It is about a woman’s right to choose what she can do with her body and young people having the opportunity to realize their dreams and aspirations regardless of skin color, gender, or station in life. It is about addressing issues of police brutality which has engulfed and inflamed communities of color throughout the nation. Voting in the November election is about addressing long standing, overdue actions regarding fixing a broken Criminal Justice System. This election is also about states actions to suppress voter participation and growing concerns about the environment, climate change and outlawing affirmative action. Voting in the 2020 election (Senate and Congressional, Judges, and District Attorney races) among other things mentioned must be about a referendum on racial injustice, inclusivity, systematic discrimination, and inequality in America and who is best to address and provide remedies for curing these debilitating maladies which have plagued the nation for much too long.
Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is an associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, former President, Grambling State University Faculty Senate and former Chair, Department of Consumer Education and Resource Management, Howard University, Washington, D.C.