Remember how far we have come; vote

The message on the flier I was handed last month at New Bethel Baptist Church, Hillman Street, Youngstown, was clear: "Make an informed choice. Vote on Nov. 8."
I had the privilege of being a panelist at a political forum at the church sponsored by the Junior Civic League and the Community Mobilization Committee.
About 400 people attended the forum to see Kenneth "Brotha K" King, talk show host from WGFT Radio, retired broadcast journalist Ode Aduma, and me ask questions of candidates running for Youngstown mayor, Youngstown council president and Youngstown school board.
The crowd was attentive and listened carefully to the answers given by those candidates who responded to the primarily black audience.
Several candidates didn't appear, and they apparently failed to notify the JCL and mobilization committee they would be unable to make the forum.
Moderator Anne Cobbin of the JCL reminded the audience to remember those candidates, and suggested those who couldn't or wouldn't make time to meet them perhaps were not worthy of getting their vote.
Most important right
Of all our constitutionally protected rights, I believe voting is the most important. The American citizen's right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy.
It is a right that many black people fought hard for and some even died for. Nothing frustrates me more than listening to the excuses given by black people, and other minorities, as to why they don't vote. Here are a few:
"My vote doesn't count."
"It doesn't matter if I vote because all politicians lie."
"Is today Election Day? I forgot."
"I only vote in presidential elections."
"I didn't have time to vote today. I had too many things to do."
I'm sure there are more, but those are among the most common I've heard.
It is time to put away such ridiculous and petty reasons for not performing one of this country's most important duties.
Denied at one time
For years, blacks and women were denied this basic right, interpreted -- wrongly I might add -- as being exclusive to white males.
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution corrected that wrong, and the Voters Rights Act of 1965 further ensured that all Americans have the right to vote.
There are three components to exercising this right. First, you must be registered to cast your vote. That means you must expend the energy to fill out some simple questions at the board of elections. If you have moved since you last voted, you must call the board of elections and notify them so board officials can tell you where you must go to vote.
The second component is to be an informed voter. It is a good idea to attend political forums and listen to what candidates have to say. If you can't make a forum, read about what the candidates are saying in the newspaper or watch televised news broadcasts involving the candidates.
If you are going to vote your conscience, you have to know who and what you are voting for, and that requires some effort.
If we can watch football games for hours, or shop until we drop at the mall, we surely we can carve out a few minutes to at least find out who is running for a particular position and what that person says he or she can or would do if they are elected.
The third and final component is to actually get out of bed and vote. Being a registered and informed voter means nothing if you don't vote.
Several churches have vans available to take people who don't have transportation to the polls. Call your church to see if they offer that option.
If you know a neighbor who is going to vote, ask him or her for a ride to the polls. The voting booths aren't coming to you. The polls in Ohio open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. In Pennsylvania, voting times are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A disservice
We do a disservice to Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Whitney Young, Medgar Evers, Roy Wilkins, Mary McLeod Bethune and others in the civil rights movement of the last century when we, as a people, fail to cast our vote.
Now that I've explained it to you, what is your excuse?
ebrown@vindy.com