As a child growing up in the 60's, I was too young to go out and demonstrate on my own. I saw the worry in my parents' faces when my sister at Fisk University called to let them know she would be participating in a sit-in and might get arrested. I had seen the news reports on television. Law enforcement officers turned fire hoses on arm-linked demonstrators to break up their lines and to discourage any repudiation of the unfairness of Jim Crow laws. Police dogs were unleashed on peaceful, non-violent marchers. Through the television I witnessed beaten and dazed demonstrators who pressed forward with their quest to register black voters, so that we too could exercise the right of any American citizen to participate in elections and their own governance.
Knowing this, HOW CAN I NOT VOTE?!
Voting is a sacred rite, consecrated and canonized by the blood, energy, love, and lives of countless people of various colors. People have died so that all of us can exercise this right of full citizenship. In my mind, it is un-American, and un-African American, not to vote.
I VOTE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN STILL COME TO TOWN!
by Sallie Frederick
As I prepare to vote for a president, as with each election, my mind takes me back to my childhood memories. We lived in a rural area outside of a small Texas town. My dad was James Edwards and my mother was Ruby Youngblood Edwards. I can see my father sitting at the kitchen table across from my mother as they discussed the candidates and issues for upcoming elections. Even as a child, I understood that their conversation was unique and different from what I thought the average discussion about who to vote for should be.
REMEMBERING...
THE FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE Need more inspiration about voting? View our September virtual discussion about the history of the San Antonio and Texas fight for the right to vote for African Americans.
Virtual discussion with Dr. Katherine Kuehler-Walters with the Texas State Historical Association and Brandon Johnson from MOVE Texas with Elder Cory Mobley as moderator.
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Burial Ground: Exploring African American Resting Places Cemetery Tour
Join us as we tour City Cemetery #3, uncovering San Antonio's Black History. Tour groups of 9 or less will leave in 15-minute intervals, embarking on a one-mile tour of the historic cemetery. Tickets are $25.00 each. We guarantee a time of learning, intrigue and fun!
Do you need help talking to the younger generation about race, tolerance, and inclusion? Do you need help understanding race and inequality? Our racial education modules, "Conscious Curriculum & Conversations" is for you! Each month we provide discussion guides, suggested books, activities, videos and virtual discussions about those tough topics.
The theme for November is the depiction of history from a Euro-centric perspective.
