Why do I love elections? Because, to me voting is not just an endorsement for my policy priorities, it is a ritual. Voting is the certification of my privileged status as an American citizen, and at the same time, a solemn act of gratitude for every innocent body broken and earnest heart stopped in the fight for that privilege. It is my defiance against those still working to suppress the voices of my peers, and my promise to the universe that I still believe that we can improve it…if we try.
Those were my thoughts last year on Election Day. A lot has changed since then; for example, I have no fun photo to share from this year because I am one of the 99 million who voted early–one of the few silver linings of our COVID-world. Despite the changes to our elections in 2020, a couple of things remain the same for me.
First, defiance still burns hot in my heart as the votes roll in and I reflect on the fight to be heard. This year, I’m thinking specifically about my grandmother, Bettie Jean Willis, who we buried this summer at the age of 84. Granny Bettie knew a time where her vote was not protected by the laws of our free government. She was 29 years old—older than I am now—when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 determined that she could no longer be lynched, beaten, poll-taxed, literacy-tested, or otherwise intimidated out of her right to vote on the count of her skin being Black. I voted a month early this year, keeping Granny in my heart, and those who are still barred from this process in my mind.
Second, in voting again I feel that I have renewed my promise to the universe–that I still believe that we can make things better if we try. Voting is just one lever we pull to fulfill that promise. It’s the slow way, the incremental way, toward a better future, but it’s a necessary part of the work we have to do. Progress is won by showing up on all fronts and hitting back even when the cards are stacked against you. On November 4th, the fight may take us somewhere else, but from now through 6pm tonight, we must demand a more perfect union at the ballot box. We move forward by focusing on the battle before us. I hope you’ll join me there.
Happy Election Day. Keep pushing.
PolitiFro 