Oct. 21, 2014
Some Black Voters Still Focused on "Bread and Butter" Issues
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Despite outrage over killings by police, concern about Ebola, and U. S. troops now fighting ISIS in the Middle East, it appears that so-called “bread and butter issues” – the economy, education and jobs – are still very much on the minds of voters heading to the polls across the nation through Nov. 4.
“I think the inequality in the way the wealth in this country and even in my city is dispersed is an outrage,” says Charlotte Marcoulis, 20, a college student planning to vote in Los Angeles. “More and more people suffer and nothing is done…I feel that all we have is each other in the big schemes of things so I think it’s in our best interest to support and lift one another up.”
Even new voters will be headed to the polls with finances on their minds. "Anything related to reducing the wealth gap!" agrees Jalen Price, 18, of St. Louis.
It was a suburb of St. Louis - Ferguson, Mo. - where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson Aug. 9. The shooting of the unarmed teenager – allegedly with his hands up - resulted in outrage across the country. The Rev. Al Sharpton, president/CEO of the National Action Network, has been traveling the country on what he calls a “Hands Up Voter Drive”. He is calling on “African-Americans to vote on Nov. 4th in the name of Michael Brown and Eric Garner”, another unarmed man who died after a police chokehold in Staten Island, N. Y. on July 17.
Sharpton is among other groups and civil rights leaders who are also encouraging African-Americans to vote. Mid-term elections, in comparison to presidential elections, usually draw a much lower voter turnout.
Because of this, a new group called the Power Check Coalition has hooked up with comedian Sommore to promote a “check your power” campaign through a new national non-partisan network of leaders and organizations. The network is focused on "tapping the power of social media to engage infrequent voters", says a statement released last week. Sommore was scheduled to hold an event Saturday, Oct. 25, in Harrisburg, Pa., attempting to rev up excitement about voting.
Typically, voters will go to the polls when there are issues that they believe they can impact. The NAACP, which compiles an annual report card for members of Congress, scores Republicans and Democrats based on their votes for or against what the civil rights organization calls "bread and butter" issues. These are issues like jobs, quality health care, civil rights, and affordable education, which disparately affect African-Americans.
There has been much focus on the deadly Ebola virus that has killed more than 4,400 in West Africa and one in the U. S. Americans have also been concerned with more troops being sent into Iraq in order to fight a relatively new terrorist group, ISIS, which has become known for its ruthless beheading of people. But, based on various interviews, it is the bread and butter issues that appear to be driving many voters to the polls.
The push to register early and get out the vote is largely in response to sweeping changes to voter laws that have caused alarm in the civil rights and African-American communities. But, the push to get out to vote is also in response to high tension between Republicans and Democrats that has resulted in a battle for both parties to either maintain or take control of the U. S. House and Senate. Currently, Republicans dominate the House and Democrats dominate the Senate.
"I would really like to see Democrats...control the whole congress and see what they could accomplish,” says Monte Kenton, 40, a service clerk in East St. Louis, Ill., “Having an imbalance is keeping anything from getting done."
But, some voters are thinking closer to home as they go to pull the lever. Gayle Todd, 45, a self-employed realtor in Dallas, says she’s planning to vote in the Texas gubernatorial race, where the abortion rights issue has resurged.
"I am concerned with keeping or furthering the rights we have right now. Big thing in our race for governor is Pro-Choice. I feel women should have a say so about their body,” Todd said.
Affordable college tuition rates, global warming and the environment are some of the other issues inspiring voters to the polls.
“The environment is also a huge issue here in Los Angeles. There is an intense drought which I believe is direct effect of the warming going on globally. Something has to be done about it or we could be in some serious trouble in the next few years,” Marcoulis says.
Despite issues that directly affect people’s lives, such as health care, education and jobs, some still question whether their vote will really matter. Ayana Matthews, a 33-year-old working mom in San Francisco, is convinced that every vote counts. “While I’m in the booth I sit and ask myself, Does my vote really matter? Am I voting for a reason and or a purpose?,” Matthews says. “The most important election to me is every election because there was a time when Blacks weren’t allowed to vote at all, therefore I take advantage of every opportunity that I have to be able to vote.”
This article was compiled from interviews by Howard University journalism students Kahdijah Cole, Victoria Lockhart, LaShawn Moore, Grier Spry, Jennifer Thomas, and Sydney Todd.