"Take Your Soul to the Poll!"

“Take your Soul to the Polls”

                The City of Atlanta voters and citizens eligible to vote throughout this nation alike will meet once again at polls everywhere this week to elect officials once again. In some cases incumbents will return to office, while on the other hand new faces will appear in the strange venue of the political arena. The fact of the matter still remains true to the old adage that all politics is local and what affects one affects ultimately us all. Being the case, this is the most tangible example of why it is of the utmost importance to participate in every election, every cycle no matter who is being elected or the position. From the most local of elections to the most national presidential election, every vote continues to matter and every vote contrary to popular belief does count.  In an attempt to cite such instances the list is much to long to enumerate elections where one or even a few votes have made the ultimate difference in the course of history.

Separate from the fact of the sacrifices made by many for the right to vote, I maintain that not only is voting a right but an absolute moral and social obligation. By voting we take ownership and individual personal responsibility for the conditions in our society and communities.  By the single act of casting a vote we say non-verbally that I care and express my wishes to those that we elected to carry our water and tow our line. At the close of the day it is not just a Cliché that “our vote is our voice,” or “if you don’t vote, then you don’t count!” 

                Our democratic system of government is designed as a bottom up concept and not top down in it's construct.   By its very nature we are afforded the opportunity to elect our officials to represent us and our best interest and they in turn create public policy. Elected officials in our country determine everything from local laws to tax rates and everything in between that affect every day people that look like you and I. It continues to amaze and perplex me that everyone regardless of their voting status  has an opinion about the conditions but they too have the power to change such, however choose not to exercise such power.

                As aforementioned, I continue to assert that the single act of casting a ballot is a privilege, right and obligation in no particular order. Since registering to vote for the first time upon turning eighteen I have yet to miss participating in any election. It is something that is to me sacred and to be held in the highest regard.  Voting is a symbol that no matter how flawed our country remains, and points to the greatness of our nation which is one nation. It shows the world and even us the value of individual opinion. Not only does it lift up individualism, but it highlights that even we as a nation are a continued work in progress individually and collectively. In the final analysis it gives us ownership in the future of our country which qualifies the vote to be so sacred. Be that as it may, won’t you meet me this week and take your souls to the poll!  

The Reverend Douglas Demetrius Prather, a noted social justice and civil rights activist is the Senior Pastor of the Greater Mountain Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia