Reprinted from the 6/2/2016 Amsterdam News
Writer: Amadi Ajamu
The Black Voter Coalition launched its voter registration campaign for the upcoming 2016 presidential election Saturday with great success. The campaign focuses on “The Choice: Plebiscite, Reparations and Self-Determination.” At the registration table in front of Sistas’ Place on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, coalition members input registrants’ information in a bank of laptops. There was a continuous flow of registration activity throughout the day.
“People understand the seriousness of this presidential election and none of the candidates, not Trump, Clinton or Sanders, are speaking or listening to issues facing Black people. Systemic housing gentrification, no quality health care, police brutality and murder, unemployment, failing schools,” said coalition member Lateefah Carter.
W.E.B. Dubois said, “In 1956, I shall not go to the polls. I have not registered. I believe that democracy has so far disappeared in the United States that no ‘two evils’ exist. There is but one evil party with two names, and it will be elected despite all I can do or say.”
On the topic of the 1994 crime bill, Hillary Clinton said, “They are not just gangs of kids anymore. They are often the kinds of kids that are called ‘super-predators.’ No conscience, no empathy. We can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel.”
Carter explained, “In 2016, we are making our own choice. We choose ‘Reparations Now’ for president. ‘The Choice’ campaign also introduces the idea of a plebiscite/referendum that addresses the question of self-determination for oppressed people in the U.S. The response has been tremendous.”
Malcolm X said, “The Black man in the Black community has to be re-educated into the science of politics so he will know what politics is supposed to bring him in return. Don’t be throwing out any ballots. A ballot is like a bullet. You don’t throw your ballots until you see a target, and if that target is not within your reach, keep your ballot in your pocket.”
Carter continued, “We are targeting our ballots and writing in ‘Reparations Now.’”
The December 12th Movement and the Black Voter Coalition campaign will continue throughout New York City until the Black Solidarity Day Nov. 7, 2016, the day before election day Nov. 8. For more information, call the December 12th Movement at 718-398-1766.