By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
While many are watching developing court cases and the treatment of Blacks and
people of color as both victims and perpetrators in the judicial system, we must not lose
sight of the coming changes around us designed to both distract and disable.
I speak specifically of the following: (1) the redistricting or redesigning of all the Electoral
Districts in the United States, based on the 2020 Census; (2) the new Voter
Suppression laws in over 22 states restricting voting hours, locations, and conduct while
waiting to vote; (3) the local campaigns against Critical Race Theory resulting in the
removal of books in school libraries and restrictions on how issues of race can be
taught; and (4) a very close look at all people running for office in 2022 and where they
actually stand on the issues just mentioned.
The Conservative Right, with all its Trump supporters, is counting on low voter turnout
as a result of the above-mentioned restrictions. They are also putting those who are in
agreement with them in key positions within each state’s vote count and certification
process. The greatest weapon we have is our ability to engage the process at every
level. We must now start serious voter registration; we must now look very closely at the
new electoral boundaries and changes in all districts, from Congressional Districts to
State Legislative, County, Municipal, and School Board Districts.
We must start now and begin looking at the impact of these proposed changes. In some
cases, it is already too late to engage the Redistricting Commissions for final changes.
Many of these commissions sought to use the internet as a substitute for outreach and
citizen engagement in the process. Many of these commissions, both here and around
the country, were appointing and stacking the commissions even before the Bureau of
the Census released its report.
As a result of those activities, we must now engage in the five “P’s” if we, as the
potential victims, are to overcome the “changes”. The “P’s” are: Prior Planning Prevents
Poor Performance. We must start planning now how to make new friends and form new
alliances where necessary to get the desired outcomes under changing district
boundaries and practices. We must know who is in office, who is running for office and
whether their interests are our interest before we rush to commit our votes while others
are still bargaining for their agendas.
Changes are coming. The only issue is whether we will be prepared to meet and
overcome the changes. Something to think about.
