Curtis Johnson | + Follow Poet |
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Why Bother To Vote-F

After turning 18, I did not hesitate in registering to vote.
Many people had suffered discrimination, and I had taken note.
Mary, my maternal grandmother, could neither read nor write;
but she taught us to turn from the wrong and choose the right.

Grandma was born in 1888, a time of reconstruction from so much destruction.
Turning 18 in 1906, she could not, but certainly would have voted if she could.
So when I turned 18, voting was very high on my list of priorities.
Therefore, I stepped forward, and did what I knew I should.

I was filled with pride, and I know grandma would have been proud of me also.
Grandma Mary was my maternal grandmother and was a very courageous lady.
I don’t suppose that she would have cared a whole lot if I were a Democrat, Republican, or Independent.   I suppose that she would have advised me to vote for whomever I had concluded to be the best person for the job.   I can imagine her saying to me, “Curtis,
don’t worry about the media and the spin masters.  Don’t fret about what others do, think, or feel.  Just keep yourself informed and learn all you can.  Make up your own mind and form your own opinions.  Make your best move and commit the rest to God”.

So you see, I have good reasons and causes for which to vote, even though sometimes the causes and candidates may not even interest me.  I think that it is that tug in my spirit being energized by the memory of my ancestors.   I sense them telling me to cast one for me and also one for them.  I feel that they are saying to me, “Curtis, cast this ballot for all of us so that this government of the people, for the people, and by the people, shall not perish from the earth”.   I believe that I owe that much to them.  It’s the least that I can do for all that they have endured  for me.  

So that, my friends, is one of the reasons I am compelled to let my voice be heard.  That is why I am saying ,  both now and when I cast my ballot in November, Grandma Mary and Grandpa Ralph, I cast this ballot for you!!!!!!!!!!.    Posted 10032016 cj (originally written 02042008.  Some parts have been lost.  Narrative has been rewritten, edited, and connected to remaining original piece for posting on PS)

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