Mahoning MLK committee marks 50th anniversary of Voting Rights Act

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act showcased the duty of Americans through a history of the legislation – and music and dance tributes.

About 100 people attended the event Thursday night at Mill Creek Community Center, 496 Glenwood Ave., organized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee of Mahoning County. Jaladah Aslam, the Rev. Kenneth Simon and Penny Wells were co-conveners.

Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965, the Voting Rights Act aimed to eliminate and outlaw various legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented black people from exercising their constitutional right to vote. The act is among the most far-reaching pieces of civil-rights legislation in U.S. history. It was re-authorized for an additional 25 years in 2006.

The Rev. William Blake, director of Student Diversity Programs at Youngstown State University, was master of ceremonies. He said the Voting Rights Act is under attack because of rulings by the Supreme Court and legislation in some states.

He introduced the Rev. Jim Ray, retired pastor of Campus Ministries at YSU, who spotlighted the “Stars and Bars” artwork of Billy Morrow Jackson, which portrays a black man behind “bars” of the U.S. flag.

Sojourn to the Past participants Jabrell Walker, Micah Smith, Sarina Chapman, Emma Myers and Shelby Johnson offered a brief history of the Voting Rights Act. Sojourn is a journey of study along the path of the Civil Rights Movement in the South.

Michael Cotton of New Bethel Baptist Church offered a mime presentation to the song “Glory” from the movie “Selma.”

Aslam offered information on how the Voting Rights Act changed the face of American politics. She noted that “people of color were elected to office” on all levels. She noted the milestone election in 2008 when Barack Obama became president.

Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally talked about the importance of each vote and urged all to register. He described voting as “a sacred obligation” and noted voter registration was available at the event.

“Every vote matters in an election,” he said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to gripe.”

Stepping, an African American dance tradition, was demonstrated by Omega Psi Phi and Iota Phi Theta fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at YSU.

“Celebration of the Voting Rights Act is nothing if we don’t exercise our right to vote,” Mr. Simon said. “We can’t tolerate apathy when it comes to voting.”

He urged everyone to sign the Voting Rights Act pledge cards that were distributed. “Voting impacts all levels of government,” he said.

Rabbi Saul Oresky of Ohev Tzedek Shaarei Torah Congregation in Boardman gave a closing prayer.