As we move toward the critical November 3rd General Election, it seems like a good time to remind the Black Church of its history, role and responsibility in our current struggle.
First, let’s be clear of the rights and the freedoms of the church as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. It specifically says:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
Black people, the church has always been that safe space where we exercised these freedoms. It was in the church that the Civil Rights struggle was planned and executed; it was in the Church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his final speech before being assassinated. The church not only allowed freedom of worship as guaranteed; the church allowed us to keep God at the center of our struggles, and it played a major role in developing and achieving the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Today, the Black Church is a key stop on the agenda of every political candidate seeking a sure vote. This is why so many of them race to the church to be seen and smiled at, the Sunday before every election.
Now is a good time for all Black and people of color to not only remember our freedom of religion and speech, but to organize and plan voter participation without the usual fear of losing one’s nonprofit tax status.
Churches are made up of individuals. Individuals have the guaranteed right to freedom of assembly where discussions can be freely had about our living conditions. We can individually agree to help get each other to the polls; we can freely agree to vote. We can freely discuss who to vote for. None of these actions violate a church’s IRS Tax Exempt status. The church, once again, must not be afraid to get involved as a collection of individuals.
Let’s put aside fear and apathy and get involved in saving our hard fought for and earned right to vote, to be free of attempts to place us under an authoritarian form of government because of racism and greed. How do we get involved? Each One Reach One. Each One Teach One. Each One get at least one person registered and to the polls or, where possible, make every effort to vote early.
Now you can participate and make your voice heard and your vote known. Let’s get started right now as if the election were this week.
