Why It’s Important that We – VOTE!Earlier generations fought and died for this right
It took the eventual passage of three constitutional amendments, the 14th, 15th and 24th, before all Black Americans could freely vote in the U.S.
“Black people historically in this country were not allowed to vote for so long,” said Olutimilehin Olusanya, who moved to Minnesota from Georgia in 2008. “I have voted in every election since I’ve been here.” African Americans weren’t given the right to vote in the U.S. until 1869, but to this day, Black voters still fight against discriminatory practices that hinder their civic right. In 2011, a record number of voting restrictions that disproportionately affected African Americans were introduced in state legislatures nationwide, including photo ID requirements, cuts to early voting and restrictions to voter registration. |