This was me before Dr. Reid

I was holding out for a hero, a candidate that was perfect for me. I found that hero in Dr. Reid, a voter's rights advocate, among other things.

UPDATE: Sunday, Mar 19, 2023 · 12:09:22 AM +00:00 · ZenTrainer

Other diaries wishing Dr. Reid a Happy Birthday today:

Vetwife — www.dailykos.com/…
randallt —  www.dailykos.com/…
Crimson Quillfeather — www.dailykos.com/…
Susan Hippen — www.dailykos.com/…
Angela Marx — www.dailykos.com/…
wade norris  — www.dailykos.com/...

This is me now, with 8 years of Dr. Reid’s influence. Standing or sitting in line every election, waiting patiently for my turn to vote. I may not have found that perfect candidate, but I’ve come to realize that the only way to get one is to VOTE!!

For his 90th birthday, Dr. Reid didn’t want a party, he wanted to register 90 new voters per year in each and every one of Virginia’s 2500+ precincts. (He got that and more!)

Not only the first Black man to serve in the Virginia Assembly, since Reconstruction. Dr. Reid was also the first Black surgeon at Bethesda Hospital and the first Black doctor in his marine MASH unit.

I carry a clip board with voter registrations forms with me wherever I go. I learned that from Dr. Reid Sr. Since 2015 when I first connected with the Reids and 90for90, I’ve seen a few of my very good friends switch from voting Republican (you know, the dark side) to voting Democratic.

I’ve seen Libertarian neighbors go from never voting to actually showing up at the polls. I’ve come to notice how voting matters to people. Just the act itself. Win, lose, or draw, they participated.

I learned a lot from both of the Dr. Reid’s about what a privilege it is to vote and how I should never take that privilege for granted or waste it.

Dr. Reid was out registering voters when there were poll taxes and literacy tests.

Dr. Reid was out registering Black voters and getting them to the polls when there were no Black candidates to vote for.

And that’s how it should be!

                             Happy Birthday Dr. Reid!!

                                     As of today, March 18th, 2023, Dr. Reid is a seasoned 98!