It is time for others those who feel left out, isolated, and unimportant to get involved. It is Election Time. Once again it is time to cut the pie because they really don’t want you around when the pie is being cut. The way you get to receive a piece of the pie is to vote. Everyone- mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and everyone eighteen and over- should use the voting booth as their voice to say, “I want my fair share of the pie.”
      Walk through your neighborhood. You’ll hear the familiar sentiments: “Voting doesn’t accomplish anything.” “They are all crooks.” “No matter who wins, nothing will be done for minorities.” “I don’t vote because the candidates don’t truly represent me.”
      Walk through that same neighborhood and notice the poorly kept buildings, the dirty streets, the drugs being sold on every corner, the liquor stores that seem to be everywhere. A friend once said to me “All a neighborhood needs to survive is a check cashing place, a liquor store and a smoke shop.” I found this to be a really sad statement, yet one that seemed to be true. His statement explains an all too common problem. Even though there are grass root leaders who are giving their all to provide positive services, the average community resident does not demand more than the basics—a place to cash a check, a place to buy liquor or drugs.
      Now take another walk. This time to a dry neighborhood where the sentiments are “Voting is my power” and “I hold my public elected officials accountable.”  You will see fully-staffed public schools, clean streets, clean buildings, plenty of supervised after-school activities such as the Boys and Girls Club, PAL, etc.
      Too many on the lower rung of the ladder have been brainwashed to think that they cannot make a difference. If only they would look at history, at the individuals, the lone wolves, who changed the face of these United States. Natives and immigrants alike, draw from your history the courage to gain the resolve to stay within the process. Do not throw your hands up in disgust. Do not throw away your chance. Do not give up because that is their game. Those in power do not want change. They prefer to discourage you instead.
      Consider the following analysis of the power structure.  When anyone tries to bring about change, the first question those in the power structure ask is: Do you vote? IF YOU DON’T, THEY DON’T LISTEN. 
      if you do vote, their next question is: How does your community vote? IF YOUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT VOTE, YOU DON’T RECEIVE ACTION.
      Those in the power structure next looks at your community-based activism. IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY WAY, THEY WILL NOT GIVE  STRENGTH TO YOUR VOICE.
      After seeing that you do vote, that your community votes as well, and that you are a grassroots activist, then they ask: How large is your following? IF IT’S NOT LARGE THEY WILL THROW YOU A BONE.
      We must ask ourselves what kind of life we want to live. Do we allow the fear of death to stop us from seeking what is just? Living without justice is like being dead.
      You must keep hope alive. Don’t be afraid of being on the front lines. Remember, if you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem. It is your roll call. Are you going to demand justice? Or are you going to look for the nearest liquor store?

Amada Gonzalez
Copyright © 2008