“It’s 2008. We will vote.”
Wow. And then, to get even better, I was visiting some new blogs, stopped by ReadingWritingLiving and came across some video of them marching."Over 2,000 March at Prairie View, a Reminder of Young Voters’ Engagement in ‘08 Election
A huge banner carried Tuesday by Prairie View A&M University students at the head of a march to the Waller County Courthouse said it all: “It’s 2008. We will vote.”
The Prairie View students, hundreds of them, waited for hours in line to vote after walking seven miles from campus to the county seat. Students say they wanted to protest changes the county recently made in early polling locations and show officials the impact of their political participation.
The unofficial crowd estimate was 2,200, said Prairie View Student Government Association President Andre Evans. He said about 3,000 Prairie view students in total are registered to vote.
Waller County had reduced the number of early voting locations from about six around the county to only one at its courthouse because county officials said they could not afford to operate multiple early voting locations.
After getting pressure from federal government, the county added three early voting locations, still there was not one announced for the Prairie View campus, convenient to students. An early voting site will be open this weekend at a community center in Prairie View.
The activism demonstrated by the Prairie View students is yet another example of trends observers across the country are noting as more people between the ages of 18 and 30 register to vote and take roles in political campaigns."
I had tears streaming down my face watching this. Hey, New York Times, MSNBC and CNN, this is real news. Fox News, why don't you have Bill O'Reilly talk about how students at a historically black college are standing up to the voting discrimination that's persisted for years? It must be easier to have him talk about he doesn't, "want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence."
Yes, these students marched 7.3 miles to vote. This is not a passive generation that's coming up and I'm so happy to see them claiming what's rightfully theirs, by any means necessary.
Comments
That's insane that he wants to cut that funding. I hadn't heard. What a travesty.
Isn't that clip amazing? It's one of the more inspiring things I've seen this year. But of course the
Gyamfua,
I'm sure there will be lots of problems. Even here in LA there were major issues with voting. People got to polling places only to discover their site got moved.
I know a couple folks who have relatives at those schools and they've talked about how they were really mobilized.
1969,
Isn't it amazing? This is the kind of good news about our young people we as bloggers can spread because otherwise we don't hear it.
Cyndee,
Isn't that the truth! They'd be all, "Momma, is that in our neighborhood? Git the shotgun and the dogs!" -- Okay, that was so stereotypical of me because we all know somebody who dresses professionally and claims to have one black friend would be scared too.
NYC/CR,
I keep expecting to see this pop up on some news show or site...and it's not. It's disappointing because folks marching that far to vote really is news.
Toni,
Gosh, I don't even know what station TJ's show comes on out here. I really count myself as fortunate that I stumbled across this online.
Remnants of U,
Welcome! Glad to have you visit and comment.
I felt really proud as well. I have watched the clip several times and bawl like a baby every single time. It gets you in the gut to see that level of mobilization and solidarity.
I've noticed that some of these news shows never trot out the young black commentator to talk politics. They'll have the young Latina, the young white guy, but never the youthful black face. It's always someone who's been around for 20 years. But no, there are plenty of young folks interested in voting and making sure they are not disenfranchised like their ancestors have been.
Oh, I just realized I never finished my thought... these dang kids distracting me!
Anali,
Yes, this IS real news, isn't it! It's news I'm happy to share.
It should be an exciting election cycle. I made prediction earlier this week that Hillary will concede on March 5th...
peace, Villager
And yes, it totally sucks that this doesn't make the national news.
I wonder if she will concede then. If she does lose, but not by a huge margin, she'll still be awarded a decent share of delegates. I think she might wait till after PA. But we will see!
Jen,
That's really cool that you watched it with your son. I wish more young folks could see the positive, see what's possible when young people mobilize and take action like this.
I definitely think voting rights needs to be thoroughly addressed in this country. We are sorely lacking. The irregularities and shenanigans here in LA were just ridiculous but at least I only have to walk six blocks to my polling place. I emailed a link to the clip to Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi. I'm sure I'll get a form letter back but I'm glad I did just the same.