Though it sounds completely contrary to the hell we’ve been subjected to since Donald Trump became a politician, there is actual good coming out of this unique moment in time. Of course, it is really hard to see—unless you are a wealthy, white Republican who is benefitting from this administration’s regressive, hateful, harmful, pro-rich policies. But in spite of all the steps backward we are taking toward a more unequal society, progressives are now being forced to get creative and actively engage communities and constituencies like never before. Though it is exhausting and maddening work, this is most certainly a good thing.
In other words, there is finally a momentum of passion, energy, and excitement to build a reliable, diverse coalition of people who actively champion progressive values—365 days a year. And it shows no signs of slowing down.
With just two weeks to go until Election Day, progressives are doing all they can to make sure eligible voters, especially in communities of color, turn out in record numbers. And the stakes couldn’t be higher—especially as Republicans use fear, intimidation, and voter suppression in order to hand themselves electoral victories. One social media platform, in particular, is using its reach to target black women voters, with a specific focus on economic justice and the wealth gap.
BlackHer, a new platform developed after the 2016 election, has developed The Black Woman’s Guide to the Midterms, which contains a comprehensive list of resources for voters to demystify the midterm election process. The guide has key races to watch (including some congressional and down-ballot races where black women are candidates), details on specific issues at stake that impact black women, information about how to register to vote online, and voter registration deadlines by state.
The guide also contains “6 Easy Steps to Get Your Vote On,” which, conveniently, applies to anyone and everyone who wants to vote. On the list:
1. Register.
2. Vote early.
3. Check to see if you need to bring an ID with you to vote.
4. Confirm the location of your polling place.
5. Cast an absentee ballot if you can’t vote in person.
6. If you are eligible but prevented from voting for some reason, call a lawyer.
There’s more detailed information contained in the guide—including a glossary of terms and a critically important section on “so what and who cares.”
This could seem redundant, given that we know that black women vote and have been the decisive factor in special elections during the last two years. But we can never take anything for granted, especially because Democrats have lost more than 1,000 seats across the country in Congress, state legislatures, and governorships since 2010.
Voter turnout is never guaranteed. And, sadly, this country does an incredibly poor job of educating citizens on civics and the importance of voting, which is exactly what Republicans count on. So every bit of outreach and education helps and is vital for Democrats to expand voter turnout, maintain enthusiasm, and begin to lift us out of the Trumpian darkness and into the light. So let’s do all we can to raise awareness, fight voter suppression, win back some seats, and send Republicans back to the Stone Age where they belong!
Click here to read The Black Woman’s Guide to the Midterms, and share it widely.
