A Message From the Publisher
Christ holds all things together amidst chaos — Colossians 1:17
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
In just 27 days, we face an election that stands as one of the most critical in our nation’s history. This election is not just about selecting a candidate—it is a vote for the future of democracy, civil rights, and equality. At stake is the rejection of Project 2025, an agenda that threatens to dismantle decades of progress in protecting human rights and civil liberties. We must understand the urgency of what lies ahead: the preservation of our democratic values, or their erosion under the weight of extremism.
The choice before us couldn’t be clearer. We see one side advocating for justice, inclusivity, and the continued progress toward an America that embraces diversity and democracy. On the other side, we confront a rise in division, regression, and the dangerous ideologies that align with the “MAGA” movement. Figures like Donald Trump and J.D. Vance promote policies rooted in racism, homophobia, and a rejection of equal rights. This movement threatens the very fabric of American democracy, representing a vision not of greatness, but of exclusion and wickedness
In this context, it’s essential to recognize that the power of voting is more than a symbolic gesture—it is in defense of the values that make America convincing: unified, legitimate, and the dangerous figures to rise to power. As citizens, we must not turn a blind eye, allowing the erosion of our core democratic values to take hold. Instead, we must vote with intention and responsibility, knowing that every ballot cast is a step toward either needed progress or unjustifiable defeat.
There is a crucial difference between failure and defeat, a concept that holds particular relevance in this election. Failure is a temporary setback, an opportunity to learn and try again. It does not define the future, nor does it signal the end of hope. Defeat, however, is the acceptance of failure as final. It’s a surrender of the fight for what is just and right.
As we approach this election, we must pull out all stops to reject defeat. We must vote to protect democracy, safeguard women’s independence, and uphold the rights of each and every citizen. The outcome of this election will shape the nation’s destiny for generations to come. Let’s ensure that we don’t just vote against a dangerous, divisive agenda—we vote for a future where America’s greatness is defined by inclusion in the progress for all.
For young Black children, DREAMERS, and all those who still hold hope for a more balanced and peaceful world, this election carries much more weight. Voting in this election means standing up for a future where young Black children can grow up in a country where their potential is nurtured, not hindered by systemic racism. It means offering DREAMERS the hope of living in a nation that acknowledges their dreams and contributions, a country where they can belong without fear of deportation or rejection. And it means voting for peace, not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice—where every community can feel safe, valued, free from oppression and not defined by blatant lies of their meal choices and a disregard to their contributions here to this country.
As civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once reminded us, “Voting is the foundation stone for political action.” It is through the act of voting that we lay the groundwork for the changes we wish to see in our communities and our country.
Famed civil rights activist and labor leader Fannie Lou Hamer declared, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” This election is a call for us to protect not only our own rights but the freedoms of our neighbors, ensuring that no group is marginalized or left behind.
Former President Barack Obama echoed this urgency when he said, “There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter. It all matters.” Each ballot is a powerful expression of hope and responsibility for the future.
For young Black children, DREAMERS, and those yearning for peace, our votes are more than political statements—they are acts of hope. Hope for a country where race, immigration status, or zip code doesn’t determine your future. Hope for peace, grounded in justice, that allows every child to grow up in a country where they feel safe and valued.
The stakes are high, but the path forward is clear. Voting is not only a right but a duty to defend the ideals of democracy, equality, and justice for all.
Again, we must vote like or lives depend upon it-because it does!
