Van Parish: What's at Stake - Election 2004

Once again this November Americans will have the unique opportunity to exercise their right to cast a ballot in the upcoming Presidential election. Here in California we will not only play a role in selecting the next President, but we will also select the men and women who will represent our interests in Washington, Sacramento and our local city halls. These individuals shape policies that impact every aspect of our lives. Whether it is the quality of education our children obtain in school or the level of care our parents receive as senior citizens, elected officials determine the distribution of government resources. Every election gives us an opportunity to have a say in how these resources are distributed in our community. African American voters have an exceptional role to play in this and every election. Denied the vote for decades through institutionalized disenfranchisement, we owe it to our ancestors to participate in the political process. Our votes are our voices and each election we must be heard. Many question the value of their vote, too many think their votes don't count and after the debacle of Florida it is easy to understand this attitude. However, when we fail to vote our communities suffer. Harmful policies are developed when good citizens don't participate. [more]