Hip Hop MC's Encourage Voting
| Hip Hop MC's Encourage Voting |
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| Written by Westside ID4518 |
| Friday, 03 October 2008 00:22 |
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We''re in the final leg of one of the most important and exciting Presidential elections in our lifetime. We also have an opportunity to make serious changes at the state and local levels. When Atlanta hip hop rap star Killer Mike spoke at last month's Ozone Awards held in Houston, he was asked what sort of influence would he and other hip hop rap stars have on the 2008 elections. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYejAj4_qF8 Atlanta hip hop artist Killer Mike reminded the capacity crowd that we owe a lot to Obama for holding up a tradition that is dear to our communities and to Hip Hop which is to make a way out of no way. At the same time Obama owes a lot to Hip Hop, because it was the Hip Hop generation of all races that came out and supported him early on without hesitation. But Killer Mike cautioned we have more work to do. Texas hip hop MC Bun B likewise stated that it’s not enough to simply wear a t-shirt. He said that people need to put their money where their mouth is and step it up. In addition to registering, Bun suggested that artists go out and rent buses and donate them to local churches and civic organizations and see to it that people come to the polls. Bun B and Killer Mike underscore a basic theme which sometimes isn''t fully appreciated and embraced by our generation which is Stand Up, be counted and lets make it happen. Many so called pundits think that Texas will forever be Bush country, but the truth is that Texas has big vulnerability located in Harris County where Houston is located. One million eligible voters have not registered to vote in Harris County, 500 thousand unregistered voters in Harris County are people of color. That's enough to win any election! Part of the problem has been the result of people falsely believing that their votes won''t count. Still others have been led to believe that they can''t vote because they are felons. That's not true. In Texas, you can vote if you are a felon who has completed your sentence, meaning you are no longer in prison or on probation or parole. Still others have found themselves on the receiving end of some devious political practices by those who see 500 thousand voters as a threat. Keeping folks from the polls is a play for power by people who don''t have our best interest at heart. That can change. We all need to make sure our friends and family members are registered by October 6th and participate in early voting, which will better ensure that all votes are counted, Harris County can flip from Red to Blue. If that happens the rest of the state can follow and we will have to make room in the history books. We are asking the people to stand up. If you live in Texas please go register to vote and vote early. If you live outside of Texas and have family or friends that live in Texas, give them a call to make sure they are registered and vote early. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and people feel more compelled to be part of a process then ever. Its time for Texas to Stand Up. Its'' time for Texas to make some serious history. Redman - "We have to stop with these old fogies taking over President that don''t know what's going on with the people today. I think Obama has more sense and more knowledge and more awareness of what's going on with our crowd today.... So let's vote for Obama. I think everybody should vote. It's time for change." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQ_ZoWtBOQ Big Boi - "This is the biggest election in our lifetime ... Get registered and just let your voice be heard ... To make a change we definitely got to get out there and vote and be part of the process." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYRAT7UVgro For More Information go to www.texasstandup.com Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1466541242&ref=profile |
