How many times have you been told that voting matters? A lot, I imagine. In fact, some of you probably read this title and immediately let out a sigh of annoyance at yet another politically charged hype-piece to try to win a vote. 

While this piece is political, it is in the best interest of the group of people I hold dear to my heart. As a collective, we as Black people need to take voting more seriously. 

Over the course of history, African Americans have faced some of the worst disenfranchisement in the form of redlining, de facto segregation and many, many attempts to restrict voting rights. 

Despite our long history, it seems to me that a common sentiment in our community is one of apathy and disdain toward politics, rather than active engagement and participation. Even so, when it comes to voter turnout, Black representation took a drop to 59.6% during the 2016 year, before jumping back up for the 2020 election.  

“When politicians talk about things like change and opportunity, I can’t take it seriously, especially if they aren’t doing anything for me,” said junior communications major Felis Richardson. 

For the longest time, Black voters have had programs and rights dangled in front of them, like the various promises of better infrastructure, then simply never receive results. For example, there were multiple cries to get funding for schools on Chicago’s south side, and those issues were a huge part of Lori Lightfoot’s campaign; but when the time came, over $281.5 million that the city got for COVID relief went to the CPD instead of schools.

But the thing is, when we don’t participate in politics, we end up being the first victims of those same people we disdain. For example, Chicago’s zoning ordinances prohibit parking in certain places that could make it more convenient for drivers, but if you don’t vote in your local county elections, those things can’t change. 

When we don’t exercise our right to vote, we lose out on a powerful tool to change the world around us for the better.