Question: What's That In Your Hand? Answer: POWER -- VOTE!

2014 The Year of the Vote in Shelby County

Use Your Power!

By TaJuan Stout Mitchell

This year we will have 160 elected positions on the ballot. We have a Shelby County Primary race in May and on the ballot will be the County Mayor, County Commission, and Clerk Positions.  Then, in August we vote in the Shelby County General Election for those same positions, School Board Members, and almost every Judicial Seat in our County.  But, that’s not all, we will also vote at that time in a State Primary Race for our Governor, State Representatives and Federal Representatives.  Finally, we will go back to the polls in November to vote for the Governor, State Representatives and Federal Representatives.

This has been the most difficult article to write because I want to motivate you and others to vote. I have friends that are disgusted with politics in Memphis and Shelby County.  I hear so often about the broken promises from elected officials, the ill-equipped leaders who are unable to plan an agenda and orchestrate it for the betterment of Shelby. You are fatigued and disappointed. You are bewildered on how we elect leaders based upon name recognition, rather than ability. You are tired of scared and bought out leadership. Finally, it is a sad commentary on our system that some believe and Courts have validated the fact that our elections are sometimes stolen by the power brokers who prefer political puppets over democracy.

I wish that I could say that some of their fears are unfounded, but I can’t.  But in this article I want you to hear the voices of those who have led us thus far along the way. Maybe they can convince you that this Civil Right Struggle is not over.

I encourage you to vote because our ancestors paid a dear price with their blood, sweat and tears for the right to vote. I want you to hear their voices.

An Unknown Black Man attempting to register to vote in Selma, Alabama in 1964

"I am 65 years old, I own 100 acres of land that is paid for, I am a taxpayer and I have six children. All of them is teachin', workin'... If what I done ain't enough to be a registered voter with all the tax I got to pay, then Lord have mercy on America."

Fannie Lou Hammer encouraged us “To support whatever is right, and to bring in justice where we've had so much injustice.”  Voting offers us that opportunity to unseat ineffective people and elect new energy that will “right the wrongs” of others.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund said, “The outside world told black kids when I was growing up that we weren’t worth anything.  But our parents said it wasn’t so, and our churches and our schoolteachers said it wasn’t so.  They believed in us, and we, therefore, believed in ourselves.”  When we vote for a Juvenile Court Judge and School Board Members we say that our children are worth everything to us and we are voting to protect their future.

Now, here is the voice of a Southerner who found the courage to speak to his own people against the Jim Crow Laws of the South. “We have talked long enough about equal rights in this country. It is time to write the next chapter and write it in the books of law.”  President Lyndon B. Johnson to the Congress on January 8, 1964.  Well, it is time for us to take that equal right to the ballot box and never be weary of doing the right thing for the right reasons. 

There are many reasons to be disillusioned with politics in our governments. But, democracy it is still the best governance structure in the world and nations all over are engaged in wars to have the right to vote. We will have four opportunities this year.  Use each of them wisely.

Voting gives us a chance to voice our values, beliefs, and concerns.  Do you want a fully funded school system?  Vote for a good Mayor, County Commissioner, and School Board Member.

Want a Juvenile Justice System that is fair to our children and offers them hope, rather than despair?  Well, vote for a Juvenile Court Judge and Clerk that administers justice and discerns when mercy is needed.

Want a County that provides real opportunities for the poor, jobless, and seniors?  Vote for good County Commissioners.

Want Judges who understand the law and treat all before them with dignity and respect?  Vote for quality Judges in Shelby and fire those who disrespect you, me, and our neighbors.

Want a District Attorney General who understands that he or she should protect the constitutional rights of citizens and aggressively prosecute those who recklessly violate the law and endanger our society?  Decide if you are satisfied with the pursuit of justice and elect someone you think will serve our community the best.

Please remember when you refuse to participate in the voting process, you empower those who are in control and your passive vote gives the people you complain about the power.  Consider stop running your mouth about the government and run to the polls with your vote.

 

Finally, I believe as Christian we are challenged by God to be good neighbors, employees, spouses, parents, and Children of God.  We are encouraged to care about God’s world, the environment and its people.  Voting gives us a chance to select Godly people who reflect our concerns – health care, education, justice, and providing needs to the poor.

Well, I made my best case and I hope to see you at the polls using your power of the vote to change things for the better

Shelby County Primary for County Mayor, County Commission, and Clerk Position

May 6, 2014 and Early Voting Starts April 16, 2015

Federal and State Primary and Shelby County General Election - August 7, 2014

Federal and State General, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown - November 4

Voters are required to show photo identification when they arrive at the polls. Accepted forms of identification include any photo ID issued by the State of Tennessee—including drivers’ licenses –and photo IDs issued by the federal government, including U.S. passports, governments employee identification cards and military ID cards.

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