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The Maroon
Page 6
Monday, November 4, 1996
So how come I'm not voting on Tues
day? Let's see we have three choices.
Choice A is like, three hundred and
eighty six years old, swears that Shaq is
a place where farmers keep their tools,
and basically doesn't give a damn about
black people (unless they're voting for
him). Choice B has enough loot to give
everyone in the country a million dol
lars each-as a tax write off-and wants to
run the country like a corporation,
which I guess means that his first piece
of legislation would be the Glass Ceil
ing bill for women, minorities, and any
body who tries to enact change. Choice
C is a media-created Tom Sawyer with
a blue suit and an overactive libido; he's
gotten in trouble for his morality, his fis
cal irresponsibility, and his taste in life
partners, though his worst crime, was
cooning with Arsenio back in '92, when
brothers actually thought he was worth
believing in. Not exactly the cream of
the crop.
But to hell with the players, let's talk
about the game. Matter of fact let's look
through the visionary lenses of Malcolm
X who didn't exercise insight, but hon
esty when he noted that any revolution
in the course of mankind has always
been over land. A landless people, as
Marcus Garvey was well aware of, is a
politically powerless people. America
doesn't sweat Haiti because she needs
a place to grow mangoes y'all. Sure the
land itself is a great strategic military
piece, but on a deeper level, keeping an
area of spirited black folk dependent is
the American way. Check your history
books and TRY to prove me wrong.
This isn’t about Haiti, though, it's
about an economic system which feeds
the rich on the alleged theory that their
loot will eventually get back to the poor
(I'm still waiting for the Reaganomics
of the 80's to "trickle down" to my folks),
and a political system which passes
laws, waits eight years to implement
them, and then removes them from the
books when a new majority comes in.
You wanna know why we're still talk
ing about Roe vs. Wade? Cuz ain’t no
other laws have been passed in the last
30 goddamn YEARS! Am I angry? Hell
yeah! And now YOU want me to chan
nel that anger into a vote? Nah kid, I'll
take my chances with prayer, self-cor
rection, and a belief in the one TRUE
means by which Black folk can get their
independence in this nation called
America.
Those who do not vote in an election have no reason to com
plain about how their government works. Not that I truly be
lieve that Clinton, Dole, or Perot really have the best interest of
Black folks in mind. This country has never had Blacks folks'
interest at heart. However that does not change the fact that
there are referendums and candidates that WILL affect our
communities, like it or not. Given a voice to express my ap
proval or dissatisfaction with these politicians and statutes, you
best believe I'm going to use it. It is no wonder why people of
color complained when issues like California's controversial
Proposition 187 passed; yet they were the ones who sat at home
and let it happen. Passivity is not in my game plan.
If one were to watch any political commentary show or the
nightly news, they'd see various politicians discussing Blacks
like commodities (some things haven't changed). Jack Kemp
stated in a recent speech that by the year 2000 he hopes that
the Democrats and the GOP will split the Black vote 50-50. I
knew then that the politicians play us like children by promis
ing us pacifying things that we want in order to coerce us into
voting for them ( i.e. a 15% tax cut). By voting, I am telling
them I will not vote for random promises, but because I think
that certain ideas and policies are going to help strengthen my
family and community.
In addition to my civic and political responsibilities, cultural
legacy is holding me accountable to enter the polling station
on November 5th. The Voting Rights Act of 1964 came on the’
backs of slaves, and through the blood of my ancestors. It is
with that spirit and belief that I am exercising my right. I am
voting because my ancestors secured the promisary note. And,
I am going to the bank to cash it.
Two Sides of a Coin