We live in a flawed system with imperfect candidates. But exercising the right to vote is now more important than ever
Above: locals march to the West Asheville Library’s early voting site to cast their ballots as part of the Oct. 29 Roll to the Polls event.
The roots of American democracy run deep; grounded in soil that is enriched with malicious acts, nurtured by discriminatory laws and watered by racist policy, but today we forge forward after true freedom, justice and equality. We must continue running the race of our fathers and mothers, though we are seemingly forced to back paddle. We never imagined that the open doors that they pried open, cried open, prayed open, praised open, marched open, beat open, and forced open; that sacrificial act, appears to be, yet again a door that is being forced closed; pure mockery in the face of the beloved and martyred. They are attempting to oppress us, disable us and narrow our access to the civil liberty of voting, which is supposedly the cornerstone of democracy.
But let me remind America: we’ve defeated this demon before and are not afraid.
We are STILL established in righteousness and have great power through unity, a superstructural strength that subverts the evils of the past and the insidious guiles of today. Bear witness Asheville! The fruit of unity displayed today shall remain! Unity is said to be precious and it purifies as it flows, bringing constant delight to those who live in it.
And today, we embrace her. Through us her streams intensify.
We stand here today in solidarity, silencing our conflicting beliefs and differing opinions; Ideas that usually war against each other beyond unity’s borders. Shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart, we are one for this cause, in the midst of various social statuses, different party affiliations, and divergent political views. Nevertheless, in this very moment we’re determined to let justice roll like the river and righteousness like a never-failing and ever-flowing stream.
Roll on Asheville, until we dislodge the very presence of evil.
Roll on North Carolina and fight for the least of us; the poor, disenfranchised, marginalized and ignored citizens of this Tar Heel state.
I cast my vote, not in full confidence in the intelligence and fairness of the candidates, not in in complete trust in a system that lives in the shadows of such trickery and injustice, but I cast my vote because once upon a time, women couldn’t, but now we can, so therefore I WILL. Once upon a time blacks couldn’t, but today we can, so therefore I WILL. And I will continue paying homage to those who went before me and died in pursuit.
Now the ball is in your court! Your vote not only disempowers those who try to suppress rights and complicate the process, but YOUR vote kisses the cheek of every mother who lost children in the battle for equality. May your vote be like a lullaby that reaches the skies and echoes throughout the heavens serving notice to the lost souls who fought for your freedom, singing “We’re STILL walking in victory–now rest in peace.”
Roll on Asheville; blacks, Latinos, young and poor. We have more power than you know. We are not defeated. We are overcomers. Be strong and courageous! It’s your right!
These remarks were originally delivered at the Oct. 29 Roll to the Polls march.
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Sheneika Smith is a writer, minister, single mother, Asheville native and community activist. She recently launched Date My City, a social organization that encourages inclusion and empowerment of the local minority community.
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