The Ballot no longer a symbol of Democracy

On the afternoon of May 17^th 1957, Martin Luther King Jr standing at the steps of the Lincoln memorial delivered a message against injustice and appealed for the voting rights of African Americans in the “Give us the Ballot” speech.

‘Our most urgent request to the President of the United States and every member of Congress is to give us the right to vote. Give us the ballot and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights. Give us the ballot and we will no longer plead to the federal government for passage of an anti-lynching law; we will by the power of our vote write the law on the statute books of the South and bring an end to the dastardly acts of the hooded perpetrators of violence. Give us the ballot and we will transform the salient misdeeds of bloodthirsty mobs into the calculated good deeds of orderly citizens…..’——MLK

Decades later, we have the ballot in our hands but still feel an empty void. There is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. Where is the ballot that Dr. King was fighting for? Where is the ballot that was supposed to end bloodshed in the world and resolve conflict in Africa? What happens to the ballot that we cast in that box?

Elections don’t mean a thing, if they aint got the win; the paradox of a ballot box in Africa

It is mind boggling how self interest can drive a leader to risk the fate of a nation. Millions walk into the voting booth with enthusiasm and hope. Putting the failures of their government and leaders behind them and looking ahead in the horizon with faith. Hoping to make it to the flickering light at the end of the tunnel. They match, cheer, sing and hum the patriotic tunes as they vote for the candidate who might this time walk them through the mud and swampy thicket. The leader they hope will clear the path to the land of their dreams and not the graves of their fore-fathers. One who would hold the ladder steady while they climb to greater heights. For some it is the only time they can raise their voices. There is a feeling of empowerment, the freshness of a new day, turning the page to a new chapter—feeling wanted and recognized by their government.

Abuzz with optimism and pride, they cast the vote into the ballot box—a box filled with darkness and mystery— uncertainty awaits. A dark box where what goes in might not come out– a box that swallows hopes and dreams. A box that they used to long for—but now approach with fear, anger and hate. They start wondering who is inside that box. Is it indeed a box or a dark hole in which they cast their future. A deep hole that swallows their dreams. A hole in which they sow the seeds of hope– but out sprouts the weeds that kill the crop.

Is Ghana’s peaceful transfer of power a sign of political transformation in Africa?

by Nelima

The African in me looks at Ghana with pride while the Kenyan in me looks at Ghana with envy. Out of political maturity Ghana escaped what Kenya went through and has now come on stage as the political model for Africa. 

Now a year after the post-election violence that rocked Kenya, many people are still homeless and ethnic tensions are still high in some parts of the country. What’s troublesome is that thoughtful reflections have been few in the Kenyan media and practically non-existent amongst Kenyans in the diaspora. Instead there has been finger pointing as to who was responsible and the recommendations of the ” Waki Report” , which analyzed the underlying causes of the violence as well as named the key individuals suspected of orchestrating the violence, are yet to be implemented. Consequently, 2009 brings many political and socio-economic challenges for Kenyans which need to be addressed decisively.

Excitement in North Minneapolis as residents vote.

by Nelima

Voter anticipation must have been very high in North Minneapolis. By 7 am there was a line of over 100 people stretching out the door and down the ramp of North Point Health and Wellness Center. Everyone was happy and energetic; people cheered and clapped everyone who cast their ballot, one guy even broke out into a James Brown dance after voting. “This is like a family reunion, I’ve met people here that I hadn’t seen in a very long time” said Frank McCrary, a special ed. teacher at Transition Plus, who had been in line since 6:45am. He was accompanied by his mom, dad and two younger brothers and none of them were bothered to have stood in line for over two hours to cast their votes. “I’ve voted here ever since I graduated from high school and have never seen this kind of turn out, this is amazing!” he exclaimed. “My candidate is going to win, we in there,” he said “ An Obama presidency would mean a lot for the black people and for everyone being that he is about the grassroots, let’s bring this thing back to the people” he concluded. By 11:30am the line had somewhat shortened and an estimated 400 people had already voted.

Share Your Election Stories.

 

 

Photo sent by Small Axe who was in line very early this morning

 

The most highly anticipated day after 2 years of rigorous campaigning. Did you vote today? What was the election experience like for you? What will you miss and what won’t you miss about the whole process? Are you optimistic about your candidate? If you have voted back home how did this experience compare? What’s next? Please share, please share

 

Courtesy of Richard Amegee who voted at 9am

 

Ato blows a kiss to all the voters

Politics at the Playground?

by Nelima

Dr. Grace Yoo amused me today when she talked about how her kids were having a fight in the back of the car over who gets to be Obama. “I don’t even know why you are arguing over politicians when you can’t even vote,” she said. “We can vote at nick.com” said her son. From Oct 12th – 20th a record breaking 2.2 million kids got to vote for president in Nickelodeon’s  2008 Kids pick the President ‘kids’ vote. Senator Obama received 51% of the vote (1,167,087), and Senator McCain received 49% (1,129,945). While the vote is not a scientific poll, it should be noted that the kids have correctly predicted the president in four of the last five U.S. elections.