How To Vote?

I hope so, and if not, I hope you will take the time to do so, although I realize casting a vote is difficult for some people, especially first-time and apathetic voters.

You may be asking practical questions like:

How do I choose when the political process is polluted with false narratives and people who pander to specific audiences? Or, where is the truth?

Unfortunately, not in most of the sound bites we see on television or social media.

Which means we have to do our homework. We have to seek the truth and put in the work before we vote.

Mind you, this work is not an easy task, nor should anything worthwhile be. Furthermore, the process may look different for you than it does me.

For example, here are seven things I promise to do BEFORE I VOTE:

1. Pray for wisdom because voting is not for the faint of heart. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” -Matthew‬ ‭10:16‬ NASB.
2. Watch debates, participate in local forums (easy to do on Zoom) as much as possible, and listen to opposing views.
3. Refresh my knowledge of capitalism, Marxism, and socialism.
4. Research the Democratic and Republican party platforms and determine which group represents the America I want to live in, not merely in words (speeches or rhetoric) but actions (voting records and policies)—asking substantive questions, like what happened to Senator Scott’s bill on police reform?
5. Determine where I stand on matters that concern me most, like the right to LIFE (Black lives, Black healthcare, the lives of unborn babies) and free enterprise.
6. Be certain my vote is consistent with my Christian values and Biblical worldview.
7. Base my decision on facts and not emotions, making sure I’m well-rested, content, and well-fed. (The opposite of sleepy, angry, and hungry).

All the above have helped me and may help you wade through the mire and muck of the political season. Or all the research may simply make your head ache like an endless search for a new car without receiving even the benefit of the new car smell.

It happens.

Throughout your digging, you’ll undoubtedly see problems with the political process, too. This may persuade you to consider being the change you hope to see by getting involved and not leaving our government’s policy decisions to lawyers, lobbyists, and career politicians.

Keep in mind, as Michelle Obama posited recently that no politician is perfect, not even you if you ran.

Moreover, no voter is perfect, either. Sometimes we get it wrong, sometimes we are wronged, but that’s common when we have not done our due diligence.

So I encourage you to seek the truth no matter the difficulty, and not just your papa’s or your favorite celebrity’s opinion.

Be a wise voter and a conscientious contributor to the country. I believe in you, I believe in us. I believe in the United States of America. Now GO VOTE!

Blessed regards,

From a Black woman with her own mind and under no obligation to endorse any particular political candidate.❤️🇺🇸🙏🏽