We the People Must Vote WOKE


We the People Must Vote WOKE

By Brenda A. Sheriff, CSA

It has been said that there are only three types of people in the world:

1.           Those who make things happen.

2.           Those who watch things happen.

3.           Those who wonder what happened.

Needless to say, Type 1s are leaders, high achievers and generally healthier and happier people. Type 2s may be less engaged initially, but through observation, many eventually get the message and transform themselves into Type 1s committed to action.

Unfortunately, Type 3s are clueless. We need to pray for them.

Type 3s generally know less, have less, do less and care less about anything or anybody, including themselves. Scripture tells us about Type 3s in Hosea 4:6 (KJV):

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”

That sounds almost like a curse on the 3s. What a shame that so many 3s are clueless and resigned to their circumstances.

Hopefully, today’s column will be a wake-up call to the 3s in your life who seem content to remain uninformed and inactive, caring too little to do anything for themselves or anyone else.

It may be presumptive of me to assume that you have 3s in your life. But I’m certain you have known some. Perhaps you have even been one.

But somewhere along the way, you learned better. Old things passed away, all things became new, and you were transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Yes, transformation is an inside job. It begins when you decide to make a change.

It is said that continuing to do the same thing while expecting a different outcome is insanity.

My prayer is that my “skin folks” who are 3s, across this great nation of ours, will GET WOKE — Working On Knowledge Everyday.

Yes, knowledge is one thing that many “non-skin folks” have feared in “skin folk” for centuries. Today, we hear the rhetoric against “WOKE,” while legislation and decisions made in our political institutions can affect what we learn, what we know and how we participate in our democracy.

Think about it.

During the years when our skin folk fought to secure the right to vote, our schools taught Civics — the study of the rights, duties and responsibilities of citizens and how government works.

The Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, following the long struggle to secure and protect the voting rights of Black Americans.

Yet, over time, civics education declined in many schools.

And today, we are paying a price for not knowing enough about our government.

Our nation — “We the People” — has failed miserably to understand and protect the “unalienable rights” that are supposed to assure justice and equality for all.

Sounding like a lot of rhetoric?

Well, it is NOT.

From this perspective, the world once viewed and envied us. Over the years, we have seen droves of immigrants risk their lives to gain entry into our country.

Yes, 3s, no matter how much or how little you appreciate your citizenship, there are people around the world who would trade places with you in a heartbeat.

I recently wrote a column asking readers, in preparation for the upcoming election, to know what districts they live in, the names of their elected officials, and the responsibilities of those officials at every level of government — municipal, county, state and federal.

Guess what?

As I have asked around, most folks tell me they are registered and consistent voters. Yet, when I ask their district numbers or even the names of the officeholders representing them, I get blank stares.

At that point, not wanting to appear adversarial, I don’t even dare ask what the duties of those officeholders are.

Oops!

In asking these questions, I have discovered a lot of 3s hiding in 1s and 2s clothing.

LOL!

And that is where we elders have a responsibility.

If you are old enough to remember the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s, if you remember the sacrifices made so that we could exercise the right to vote, then you should be WOKE.

But being WOKE is not just about voting.

It is about knowing before you vote.

Know who you are voting for.

Know what office they are seeking.

Know the responsibilities of that office.

Know the issues that matter to you and where the candidates stand on those issues.

Only then can you make an informed decision and vote in your own best interest.

And then, my brothers and sisters, teach somebody else!

Show the Type 3s in your life what it means to become a Type 1.

Take a child, grandchild, neighbor, church member or friend under your wing.

Teach them how to find out who represents them. Teach them how government works. Teach them that their vote has only as much power as they are willing to use to hold elected officials accountable to their campaign promises.

Stay WOKE!

My Conclusion

“Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back. You may not have a car at all. But remember brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall, just be thankful for what you’ve got.”

Yes, you may remember those lyrics from the ’70s, when we wore leisure suits, high-waisted, skin-tight bell bottoms and platform shoes. Polly and Esther were our favorite sisters!

Back then, the Vietnam War was ending. Jesse was reminding us to “Keep Hope Alive!” We had come into our own, understanding that Black Was Beautiful!

We were saying it loud: We’re Black and we’re proud!

All power to the people!

If so, you were an adult in the ’70s and had lived through the civil rights struggles of the ’50s and ’60s as I did.

Living through those turbulent decades made you WOKE.

Those of us still living knew “What’s Going On.”

We didn’t have the internet, but we “Heard It Through the Grapevine” from Marvin and Gladys while Aretha reminded us to “Think.”

Therefore, you should be WOKE.

And you should be showing, by example, the 3s in your life the importance of being an informed voter.

Not only knowing who you are voting for, but knowing the responsibilities of their office.

Not only casting your vote, but understanding why your vote matters.

Not only becoming informed yourself, but helping the 3s in our midst transform into 1s or 2s.

Elders, this is our time to lead by example.

You WOKE help get other skin folk WOKE, too.

When us skin folks get WOKE and vote with understanding, just watch how old things will pass away and all things will become new.

We must study to show ourselves approved so that we can receive the fullness and richness of God’s promises.

So, We the People must Vote WOKE!

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ:  Do you have to be over 65 years old to qualify for Medicare?

Answer to Last Week's Quiz: If you need help paying your Medicare Part B Premium, deductible, coinsurance, and copays, you can contact a Medicare Agent to determine if you qualify for QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) Program between October 15th and December 9th to change your current plan.

For Questions or Help: 773-817-0601 basheriff1@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The illustrations and examples presented in this column are not, nor are they intended to be, legal, financial, tax, insurance, or other licensed professional advice. Readers should consult the licensed professional of their choice regarding their individual circumstances.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

CRYSTAL CROCKET AND BRENDA SHERIFF