Preserving the Legacy
“But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Amos 5:24
Today is the federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drum major for justice and civil rights movement leader. Dr. King put his life on the line time after time in the struggle for social, racial, and economic justice.
What we are witnessing today is not the democracy Dr. King marched, went to jail, and fought for. Over the past year, we’ve seen countless laws and bills drawn up by state legislators that restrict access to the ballot box for millions of Americans. These enacted and proposed laws include vote-by-mail restrictions, restrictions on early voting, and broader authority for purges of voter rolls. An often-cited reason for these bills and laws is voter fraud, yet voter fraud is extremely rare. Unfortunately, these laws disproportionately undermine the ability of people of color to vote.
Voter rights and voter protections are the cornerstones of our democracy and the fundamental rights upon which all our civil liberties rest. The fight to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965, The Freedom to Vote Act, and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act is critical to ensuring that access to the ballot box, especially for African Americans, is not restricted.
As a pastor and faith leader, I am committed to honoring the legacy of our social justice heroes who fought so vigorously and valiantly to expand and protect voting rights. The right to vote is not a partisan issue; it is the basis of our entire democracy. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees our right to vote regardless of race or creed. Until we have equal access to the ballot, we cannot make progress on any other issue. Making progress on climate change policy, canceling student debt, protecting the rights of women, criminal justice reform, etc., all start with ensuring that every American can have their ballot cast safely, conveniently, and equally. But when leaders fight against our right to vote, we risk losing the voices of countless citizens and potential voters — especially Black, brown, and poor individuals who are often most disenfranchised.
We need Congress to act swiftly and decisively to defend our democracy by protecting voting rights. We have witnessed the changing of the rules to raise the debt ceiling, proving it can be done for voting rights. From Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to Friday, January 21, 2022, I am inviting you to join the NAACP, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, and faith partners in making 50,000 points of contact to U.S. Senators via phone call, tweet, or email. Click this link to easily contact your senator now and demand that they vote “Yes” to voting rights. Dr. King’s legacy left our nation with the blueprint to make social and structural change to benefit all people. Let’s do our part to preserve it.
Fighting Forward,
Dr. Gina M. Stewart, President
Lott Carey
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