In a time where African Americans are the least represented in government and politics it seems now more than ever that black people are not voting and are not concerned with politics at all. It is the opinion of the Gramblinite and it’s editors that people should get involved and show some interest in their government and the people that are running for the positions that are to be filled.
Too often people complain about all of the problems with the government and how the country is being run but they don’t get off their couches and go vote. When President Bush was running for his second term in office the majority of the African American population was up in arms and Democrats all over the country urged citizens to go out and vote to make sure that Bush did not win.
Even with the urging of hip hop leaders like Russell Simmons and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs the African American voter turn out was sub-par at best. People could be seen wearing vote or die t-shirts on every turn but it turned out to be just a fad and not a motivational piece as it should have been.
If the majority of the minorities in America came together and made a conscious effort to not only vote but encourage those around them to vote maybe a politician that we actually want can get into office.
African American voter turn out has been on the decline in recent years and it doesn’t seem to be headed in a positive direction any time soon.
African Americans were the only race or ethnic group to defy the trend of declining voter participation in congressional elections, according to data from the 2004 elections by the Census Bureau. Records show that African Americans increased their presence at the polls from 37 percent in 1994 to 40 percent in 2004.
Nationwide, overall turnout by the voting-age population was down from 45 percent in 1994 to 42 percent in 2004 – about 3 million fewer voters in 2004 than in 1994.
Turnout by Whites declined from 50 percent to 47 percent from 1994 to 2004, while Asian and Pacific Islander turnout fell from 22 percent to 19 percent and Hispanic turnout remained at 20 percent.
Turnout also declined across all age groups and for men and women. For example, 35 percent of 25- to 44-year-olds cast ballots in 2004, down from 39 percent in 1994.
Of the 40 million people who said they registered but did not vote in the 1998 election, about one-third reported they were too busy or had conflicting work or school schedules.
With unimpressive numbers like these is it any wonder that people like George Bush can not only win the presidential election but also get re-elected for a second term.
To take a page out of one voters book if you want to stay out of trouble, stay out of the Bushes.
This staff editorial/commentary is a view written by The Gramblinite Editorial Board.