A Season of Changes: Election 2008

Kylar W. Broadus Esq.
Chair, NBJC

Change!

I think that we can all agree that these are historic times in numerous ways.  Since the tragic events of 9/11, our world has drastically changed with the looming war that has become one of the longest in U.S. history.  There is a heightened need for security more than ever.  The financial crisis is yet another major event that affects us all.  The declining value of the dollar, higher gas prices, unemployment, foreclosure and medical bills plague most of us on a daily basis. The rising national deficit and the imminent fear of recession beleaguer the economy. This is truly a time for change.

For the first time in history, we have an African-American running for president and a woman on a major party ticket.   Growing up as a child, I dreamed, as many of becoming the first African-American president. At some point as a child, I believed that this was possible; however, as I grew older, this didn’t seem to be realistic.  There were too many things that were considered as none starters for me such as my gender, my social class and my race.  It wasn’t that I believed that these things were insurmountable but rather that it was the predominate view in the culture.  These became beliefs that I grew to internalize and to believe.  It is awe-inspiring and exciting to see these presumptions challenged on the national stage.

There are many excuses that people use for not getting involved in the political process. Barack Obama could have used his social class and race to keep him from realizing his dreams. If this were the case, this would not have been one of the historic events that set the stage for such pivotal change in this country. In realizing his dreams, Barack Obama has done more than just become the first African-American to get the nomination of a major political party. He has revolutionized the campaign process reaching out to millions of voters through the use of the Internet and large concert style rallies for grassroots organizing.  More voters are energized to get out to vote than ever. Just a week prior to Election Day, more than a million Georgia voters have already turned out to vote.  This apparently, is more than a fourth of all registered voters in the state. The Obama campaign led the charge encouraging people to register to vote and to vote early like never before in hopes of heading off as many election malfunctions and tampering as possible.

Let us all play our part in this truly momentous time in history.  It is our time to make our voices heard and impact change.  There were many people that believed enough in the right to vote that gave their life fighting for this right.   I encourage you to get out to vote, and if possible to do so early. Please make sure to drive a neighbor, friend or family member to the polls.  There is a national call for workers to volunteer at polls across the country to insure the integrity of our process. Get involved.  Now, more than ever your vote does count.  Please help make sure that it does get counted and participate to make change.

Kylar W. Broadus is a professor, attorney, transgender activist and public speaker from Missouri.  He is an associate professor of business law at Lincoln University of Missouri, a historically black college where he serves as chair of the business department.  Kylar has maintained a general practice of law in Columbia, Missouri since 1997. Formerly, State Legislative Manager and Counsel at the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group.