While in Dallas to present a check to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Jasmine Crockett spoke about the heavily contested presidential race. On the heels of the VP debate, Rep. Crockett spoke about how political rhetoric gets in the way of political action. Rep. Crockett is a rising star on the hill and whether you agree with her or not, you can appreciate this clarion call for Americans to see beyond their political ideologies for the greater good and future of the country. This moment is beautiful because a bipartisan effort awarded the funds. As our country seems more and more divided by political leanings, we need to be reminded that we work well together when we do! With a looming general election, the question remains how willing Americans are to work well to secure a viable future for one of the world’s superpowers.














As early voting opens, I want to share a word with you. We must choose wisely, and I understand the juxtaposition many of you may be experiencing. Still, there are some things are too clear cut to be confusing. The presidential ballot this year has come down to whether Americans want a continuation of the Constitution as we now know it or a dictatorship. In case you need a history lesson, Europeans fled the monarchy of England to establish a new country governed by the people. I can agree that we need sweeping changes that may not be a policy item for the actual common sense candidate, but I am not willing to see this country take any more steps backward.
In this publication, I have railed against efforts to erase history and paint civil rights heroes as villains. I will continue to lift our stories as we continuously discover them. Just last year, I learned about the Lane College Freshmen Four, who staged a sit in at Woolworth’s in 1960. That was 64 years ago, in a country that is today 248 years old. Do you see why it’s important that we keep moving forward? Former president Trump and several other elected officials who share his ideology have made it clear that the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 will be on the chopping block under a second term. Think those civil rights only apply to African-Americans? Think again! Those four college students in Jackson, Tennessee, staged the sit in as part of the fight to end segregation in the South! Did you know about them? Sure you know about the Greensboro, North Carolina, sit in, but there were others. The full history of Black History and Taino (Native American) history remains untold, and we have a presidential candidate saying that he will destroy the Department of Education if accurate history is taught.
Here’s something to consider as you go vote, this year. Several states have added several laws to compound the gutting of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Want to vote on Sunday? That’s no longer possible in some states. Want volunteers to pass out water to crowds waiting in long lines in the heat? That’s no longer allowed in some states.
Read more about the nearly 100 restrictive laws enacted to counteract the Voting Rights of 1965.

That’s just one part of it…I get it if abortion or LGBTQ rights aren’t your thing, but what more do you have after you clear those issues? Illegal immigration? Well, there was a bi-partisan bill that was struck down and not even given a chance to be debated. Want the truth about the bill? Read Factcheck.org’s report about it.
Inflation and “shrinkflation” continue to ruin the American consumer experience. What can be done about it? This is a policy issue that neither side can accurately quell American anxiety about. We want answers and we want them before hitting the polls. Will we clearly have them? Probably not. We’ve gone through this cycle before. This time, it’s exacerbated by the pending election.
Remember the Old Man with the Sign?

Gale McCray was unflappable and took his sign everywhere! He stood behind the thought that “That Boy Don’t Act Right.” If the Republican party had a candidate with a better fit for the country then he would have voted for that candidate. Since they did not, he took his fight to his party and let them know the grave mistake they made by aligning with Donald Trump and MAGA ideology. MCCray was a few election cycles ahead of his time. This year, many more Republicans and influential leaders are following suit and finally distancing themselves from Trump’s rhetoric and disastrous and divisive MAGA principles. Hats off to you, Mr. McCray.
We spoke to The Old Man with a Sign in 2021. Watch our interview with him.
Finally, a word for those of you voting against former President Trump because you’ve had enough. Don’t stop at the top. Go down the ballot and rid your county, state and this country of those who push his ideology. It didn’t start with him and it certainly doesn’t stop with him. This election is America’s chance to show people who would rather lock up their political enemies, erase history and only advocate for those who agree with them that this is not the American way. Unfortunately, this has been but the United States of America is at an impasse and we must choose to protect the Constitution and continue the progress we have made. When we say we’re not going back, we mean it!
Are you undecided? Have you already voted? What other issues are important to you? What’s giving you pause as you consider political candidates? Join the conversation and share your answer in the comments.