With the hotly contested 2020 General Election season concluding on Election Day, Nov. 3, the MSR hit the streets to talk to community members about their voting plans. See what they had to say below. The interviews were conducted by Nikki Love.
Question: Do you plan to vote this year? Why or why not?
Of course I vote! Why do I vote? I’m standing on the shoulders of so many people who gave their lives for that right, that’s one reason. The second reason is I am a U.S. abiding citizen and it is my right to vote.
[I’m voting] to put people in office that I feel share my beliefs and values that will also
implement them and I will some way or somehow be impacted. If I’m not impacted, then my child would be it.
Phyllis “Showtime” Braxton
Yes, I vote and because it matters. If you want change, you have to step up and be a part of it. Without voting we will be the same but we need different. Support one another like the old days; it takes a village to raise a child.
Harrison
I do vote, but right now I will not be voting this year due to the differences in both candidates that I do not care for. I would like to see Trump out of office, but that’s my opinion.
I will probably vote again in the next four years. It depends on who has the most reasonable [plan] to help out the community and build out community in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I’m not voting because of the choices I have. Their views are similar but they try to act as if they are different. I’m not too much into politics, so I would need to research and look deeper into who would be the best candidates for 2020.
Ikendra
Yes, I vote and the reason I vote is because there are people that died for us to have the right to vote. I know a lot of people say that their vote doesn’t count, but you have the right to go out and have your voice be heard.
When I look back at the time when we couldn’t vote and what people that had to go through just to vote—guess the number of jellybeans in a jar in order to vote and the obstacles they went through—I wish more people would look at it like that and take to opportunity to get out and vote. Be a part of, be counted, speak up and speak out to vote!
Phillip C.
Yes, I do vote! Number-one, it’s our right, and number-two is because too many people fought and died for us to have the opportunity to vote. I exercise my vote every single time and I encourage everyone to get out and do the same.
Your voice does matter and it does make a difference. I think voting empowers people who feel like they don’t have a word or say in anything but once you exercise that right and you see results from that right, it starts to make you feel like I can make a difference.
I will tell everyone I know to vote [and] bring people to the polls that don’t have
transportation. Let’s not let that be a hindrance for people; we need to get together and do a carpool of cars to pick people up so that every voice is heard and counted.
Rhonda Herron
Voting is important because it is a systemic way of providing resources and
opportunities. Acknowledging who lives in America and our communities and as a civilian of this land you have the right to vote and the right to exercise your freedom of speech.
You have the right to choose who you want to represent your community and who to hold accountable for the decisions that are made on behalf of you and your children’s future.
We had to fight for this right to vote as Black people. A lot of people have died in this fight and I vote to pay homage to those that we have lost in the past such as our ancestors. I vote to build a better future for my people and me. Voting is important to me! Identify your purpose, passion and your peace.
Lewiee Blaze
