Ladies and gentlemen! The Ghetto Science Team’s Get Out and Vote Initiative presents Grandma Pookie’s motivational pep talk.
“This old lady has been through some hard times, stood tall and strong on the front line, back in the day when folk refused African Americans their right to vote. The only right you had was a RIGHT up side yo’ head with a night stick if you stepped near a voting booth. Another right you got was some vicious dog chompin’ his teef RIGHT into yo’ bootie cheeks. And if you pushed on to get to the polls, RIGHT then, gallons of high pressurized water from a hose washed you away.”
“But I’m here to tell yawl that the game has changed to playing with yo’ mind like an abuser does to his mate. For example: One moment you enjoy yo’ honeymoon of health benefits, the next moment you are beaten down with Medicaid cuts. You’re scared,confused and helpless because the truth is a lie and a lie is the truth.”
“It’s time to survive this abusive relationship and let the perpetrators know what’s happenin, baby. It won’t hurt to make a choice. Don’t let bad weather stop yawl. Clean and grease yo’ crusty feet, brush yo’ yellow teef, comb yo’ head, wear a weave, iron yo’ clothes, put on yo’ walkin’ shoes, and exercise yo’ RIGHT to vote!”
“We can win through participation. Insteada talking noise, let yo’ voice be heard! Remember: A people united will never be defeated!”
Ken Stiggers is a TV producer in Jackson and the co-host of Lyric Lounge at Daiquiri World every Thursday night.
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.