(ThyBlackMan.com) No single group of voters has been more actively suppressed than the black male voter. America has a long history of silencing black people by eliminating any and all ability to exercise basic fundamental rights. The bodies of black men were violated and mutilated before being put to death for daring to demand equality, demanding representation. Now, in the modern day, the black male vote is systematically removed by criminalization, diluted civics education and the most powerful tool of all, propaganda that the black male vote doesn’t matter.
That it won’t make a difference. Nothing can be further from the truth. Believe that billions are poured into systems to keep you believing that your vote does not matter and millions more are poured into making it difficult to vote if you should decide to go in on election day. Arm yourself with knowledge. Here are the top 5 reasons why ALL Black Men Should Vote!
1. It’s your right and a right that was fought for with blood. Many people died to give power to your voice and make sure that you have the ability to fairly fight for equal rights to representation.
2. Black Votes Matter to the Community: While black people as a whole are believed to make up between 14 and 17% of the population, black communities tend to be concentrated in certain states, cities and towns. The consequences of not voting has historically meant loss of services and increases in taxes for our 
communities. Voting is not just about the President, local officials, local governments, school boards, they all depend on community participation. Consider the story of the East Ramapo School District in New York, the schools were literally gutted down to the minimal resources while funds were reallocated to private Jewish school that made up less than 1% of the predominately black neighborhood. How?
Well The school boards elected officials were all orthodox Jews who did not use the public school system. After a great deal of complaining (And no voting) the black community got the city to appoint a chancellor to look over the school and protect the interest of the students. These types of things happen all over the country where black men and women fail to elect leaders who represent their interest.
3. People are actively fighting to suppress YOUR VOTE: Across the country states are locked into battles with the supreme court for voter suppression. They use gerrymandering (A process of drawing out maps for favorable outcomes in elections for one party or another), voter id laws, voter misinformation and intimidation. This is going on right now in 2015 to stop black and Hispanic voters from voting. Why invest so much time and money in stopping people from doing something that supposedly doesn’t matter. You’ve bought into the hype if you think it’s ok not to vote, clearly it matters.
4. Voting Gets Dollars: Demographic blocks that vote get money allocated to them. It is true that politicians fall sway to lobbyist but they can’t keep their job if they can’t get the votes. The easiest way to get the money needed to improve schools, to fix roads, to get loans funded for new development is to VOTE. Once you vote them in, keep pressure on them to perform. Emails, phone calls, a quick visit to their local office can work wonders. You are the employer and you may be surprised to learn that politicians often aim to please! Use that to your advantage and improve our communities.
5. It’s Good for you: Seriously, it is! Voting is a first step towards the process of civic engagement. The more you know about your local government, the more you can get things done around your neighborhood that you’ve long wanted to see changed. It also sets a good example for your family and friends. If you have kids, they are more likely to feel empowered by their own abilities and rights and grow up to carry on protecting the changes we are fighting for now!
The bottom line is, WE NEED YOU! Voting is important for so many reasons beyond the election season. Getting the harsh prison sentences, the economic oppression, the hostile school environments and so many issues under control depends on the black vote. Now is not the time to abandon the system, there’s been plenty of that and we’re living in the consequence. Vote and get everyone you can to vote, we need you to exercise that right.
Staff Writer; Greg Poole
