Presently, violence in this country is both disquieting and distressing. It’s incumbent upon us to take a stance against the many senseless crimes happening almost daily in this country. It is also important that we exercise one of the most important privileges that living in a democracy affords us. That privilege is the vote. Violence and Voting, the two V’s, are such an unlikely pair. I approach the two Vs with great enthusiasm for finding resolutions for issues involving both.
Let me first address the ongoing violence in this country. I will specifically focus on violence in the black community. It seems that lately, safety evades us. You can’t drive on the highway, go to a restaurant, take a walk, pump gas, or go to the grocery store without the fear of becoming a victim. Nowhere is safe. We need to reclaim our streets. We need to lose that “I’m not a snitch” mentality. It is crucial that you report all criminal acts that you observe because your report can be the beginning of the end of this violent crime wave. When perpetrators are reported, subsequently arrested, and realize that they can run but can’t hide the crime statistics will change for the better.
You ask” why discuss voting and violence in the same post”? Let me link violence and voting while enlightening you on my perspective as it relates to both. Voting is important for a myriad of reasons. The resulting election of politicians and passing of ordinances based on our votes affects how matters in our communities are handled. An ongoing quote on the VMG platform is “to perfect change you must get involved”. When you prepare to vote on the candidate of your choice do your research on where the candidates stand on the issues that concern you. Do you think that the George Floyd verdict would’ve had the same outcome for the police officer(perpetrator) if the State Attorney General would have been a different individual? That Attorney General was someone that looked like George Floyd and understood his journey. He coupled empathy with equal justice. He is an elected official. See what I mean about the power of the vote!
As people of color, we should wholeheartedly embrace the power of the vote. Many were injured and died for the right to vote. Without the vote, we would still be sharecroppers. We must exercise our right to vote in order to create positive, progressive change in this country and our communities. We need to work on ending the violence, securing equal rights and equal justice.
This can only be done by electing the exact, right individuals. In closing, by linking voting and violence I contend that we must concurrently address police violence and violence that we perpetrate on each other. Stop the violence by starting the vote. Vote for change in our communities. Get involved. We can change our future as a community by adamantly addressing the two aforementioned issues. Do all you can to ensure that your friends and relatives exercise their right to vote. If they are not registered assist them in registering. If they need certain documents and don’t have the funds to secure them and you can help, do so. Every vote counts, every person counts. Save a life. Report crime. Stop the violence, start the vote! Thumbs up, like, share, and subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at vmgreview.com and Facebook at Verifacts Management Group where “we seek the truth, speak the truth and find resolutions”.
Marvin Dixon/Founder
VMGREVIEW.COM
VMG Review 