Since the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Black church eshave played a major role in the electoral process.
This act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon Johnson. It outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting.
I personally witnessed this growing up on the south side of Chicago. As a child I attended Manor Community Church in the Jeffrey Manor neighborhood of Chicago. During my high school years until Pastor Charles Jenkins took over Fellowship, I called Salem under the leadership of James Meeks home. Because of my political and business relationships throughout the city, I would visit Rock of Ages (Marvin Wiley) on the westside of Chicago and my dad kept me visiting New Covenant under the leadership of THEE Dr. Stephen John Thurston.
I wrote all of that so you would know I've witnessed some of the best leaders.
Back in the day you couldn't find a church that wasn't engaged or a pastor that wasn't weaving into his/her message the importance of registering and getting out and voting. Always so scholarly educating us in the pews on the civil rights movement and our voting rights. We would hold voter registration drives, offer rides to the polls, knock on doors, you name it, we did it, and did it with pride.
Taking care of family and community is an American value and we have the power to reclaim that!- Barack Obama
The church showed me how to fight for our people, our communities and our elders with poise and integrity.
As Bishop Charles E. Blake stated back in 2016, "it remains the Black churches responsibility to encourage its membership to participate in the electoral process; remind them of their history; and empower them to be heard through their vote." The Black church equals Black power.
With 9 days until election day, I encourage all of you to talk with your friends, family, co-workers and followers about the importance of them voting on Nov. 3rd.
Signed a girl who was raised by the Black church!
