<TriceEdneyWire.com> — In just a few days, the world will learn who we really are in America. All voters will have a say in the matter whether they use their vote or not. If you don’t vote, you’re helping to make the wrong decision. Whether we vote or not, we’ve seen and heard the best of who we are. Sadly, we’ve also seen and heard the worst of who some are.
For young people who are eligible to vote for the first time, I caution you to pay attention to the candidates. Listen to what they are saying. Check out their backgrounds to see what they have been doing to make our country better for all and not just for themselves at the expense of people in need.
All candidates are on trial. We, the voters, determine who is telling the truth; who is respectful; who has no problem pledging to work for us instead of for ruthless leaders like in Russia and North Korea; and “them that’s already got and already mistreated their citizens.” Yes, we the American people, are on trial.
At the presidential level, we know Donald Trump has already shown his intentions. Some of his former staff, former supporters, and party members have told us who he is. They’ve told us he disrespects our military and wants to use them not for the American people, but against the American people. They tell us he is an admirer of the ruthless Adolph Hitler, a known killer of millions of innocent people. He longs for an army like Hitler’s. He calls people against him “vermin” and he plans to imprison them. Maybe he means us! He wants to mass deport innocent people who came to America seeking a better life. He’s shown us what he would do to those of us who are children of ancestors who were violently uprooted from their lives and families in Africa and brought to this country. We know he’s limited us to “Black Jobs”—no matter how educated or successful some of us have already become against great odds.
Yes, we are all on trial no matter who we are. In the presidential race, Trump’s key competitor is Vice-President Kamala Harris. He has called her every name imaginable. He is a multi-number of times convicted criminal. Vice-President Harris on the other hand is one with vast experience prosecuting people like Trump. She is highly educated, and a great speaker, sharing her plans with the American people on how she will make our lives better. She tells the truth. She plans to improve our health care, not destroy existing health plans. She has real plans. She brings us joy when she appears, and doesn’t criticize people who are in need of help. She offers a plan to save the lives of women by bringing back Roe v. Wade rights; jobs for all; funds to help new parents; money to help first time home buyers; and more good things our country can well afford.
People come out to her rallies, the size of which have increased as she campaigned. She does not use hateful, fearful language. Thus far, she’s bringing out up to 30,000 people in person. Millions online cheer her on for showing people how we can turn the page from hateful, jealous, lying, racist, sexist, anti-migrant, anti-DEI behavior. She has a background of success and fairness—exactly what we need to protect our democracy!
Just a few days before the election, the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times are showing fear of what Trump has promised—shutting down any press that’s against him. Let’s show them we are not afraid. Vote from now to November 5. Show them what courage is!
(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society.)
